Illinois EPA Refers Krel Laboratories, Inc. to Attorney General for Enforcement

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Alec Messina has referred an enforcement action to the Illinois Attorney General's office against Krel Laboratories, Inc., located at 383-388 North Avers Avenue, Chicago. The referral cites improper management and storage of hazardous and special wastes at the metal plating facility.

Krel Laboratories, Inc. commenced operations at the 388 North Avers building in the 1960's and expanded into the other buildings in the late 1970's. The site is bounded by Metra tracks to the north, residences to the east, residences and the Lake Street elevated CTA line to the south and a CTA yard to the west.

On April 5, 2017, inspectors with the Chicago Department of Public Health conducted an inspection at the facility. During the inspection, the facility owner told inspectors that the business has been in operation for over 40 years and "no waste has ever left the facility." The City inspectors informed the property owner he had 30 days to properly pack and secure all of the chemicals. The City of Chicago Fire Department, Illinois EPA and U.S. EPA were notified of the site conditions.

Illinois EPA performed a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Compliance Evaluation Inspection at the facility on April 19, 2017. During the inspection, drums, tanks, labeled lab chemicals, unlabeled chemical containers, open containers and spilled chemicals that had crystallized were observed. Some chemicals were stored in an unorganized manner and in leaking containers.

On April 20, 2017, Illinois EPA requested U.S. EPA conduct a time-critical removal assessment and possible removal action at the facility. U.S. EPA has assigned an On-Scene Coordinator for the site and has arranged for the Chicago Fire Department to inspect the facility to determine if site conditions warrant the facility ceasing operations.

In the referral, the Agency cited violations of Illinois Pollution Control Board's regulations. Illinois EPA has asked the Attorney General to seek immediate injunctive relief against the company. It also seeks to ensure the owner be required to prevent unauthorized access to the facility and retain an environmental consultant to perform necessary actions.