Master Plating

Master Plating:
Toxics and Neighborhoods Don’t Mix

For years, Master Plating polluted our neighborhood and posed serious health risks to our families. The mishandling of hazardous waste and dangerous chemicals, and violation after violation of environmental regulations endangered the health and safety of our families and neighbors.

Master Plating had over 150 environmental and health violations from 1990-1996.
More than 29,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals were stored at Master Plating each year.
In 1994, the owner of Master Plating pleaded "no contest" to illegal hazardous waste disposal in our neighborhood.

Simply put, Master Plating did not belong in a residential neighborhood.

Grassroots and Government Joined the Relocation Effort

EHC spearheaded the effort to protect homes and schools from toxic industries by introducing the concept of a buffer zone in 1989. In 1994, the San Diego City Council agreed that plating shops and chemical supply companies posed an unacceptable risk to nearby residents and should be relocated. A coalition of grassroots and government organizations, EHC, the MAAC Project, the City of San Diego and U.S. EPA worked together to make the relocation of Master Plating and other plating and chemical supply companies a reality.

Why Master Plating?

Master Plating was a metal plating shop located in a residential area of Barrio Logan, within a few feet of the nearest home. Metal plating is a very dirty and hazardous business. Workers, residents, and the environment are placed at risk daily by the use of hazardous chemicals to strip metals from antique car parts. These parts are then dipped into large vats of toxic chemicals.

But worst of all, Master Plating’s long history of violating government regulations, including illegal dumping of hazardous waste and improper storage of toxic chemicals, made it an unacceptable neighbor.

Master Plating - a Toxic Threat

An Accident Waiting to Happen

The potential of a fire, spill, or chemical release at Master Plating was a substantial concern with the close proximity of 29,000 pounds of chemicals to families and children. For example, a spill of acid on a ten- pound block of cyanide would result in hydrogen cyanide gas. A highly dangerous level of this gas would extend for six blocks downwind, which would be an immediate danger to life and health. The gas that would be formed from this spill is the same deadly substance used in the gas chamber.

History of Noncompliance

Master Plating’s history of noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations posed a serious danger to the community. From1990-1996, Master Plating had over 150 violations from city, county, and state regulatory agencies. Some of the worst violations:

Illegal Dumping

During 1994, business owner Max Afcari, pleaded "no contest" to illegal hazardous waste disposal. He was fined $12,000, ordered to complete 360 hours of community service, and placed on a 5-year probation.

Illegal Handling of Hazardous Chemicals

Mislabeled hazardous waste containers.
Improper storage of hazardous wastes.
No separation of chemicals that react with each other.
Discharge into the sewer system of up to 100 times the allowable amount of cyanide, as well as high amounts of copper, nickel, and lead.

Workers At Risk

Inadequate employee training to deal with hazardous waste and materials.
Lack of suitable eye wash and shower equipment which could lead to blindness, serious injury, or death.
Workers exposed to electrical wires which could result in electric shock.
Employees exposed to unguarded blade from the air fan.
Unguarded belt / pulley system which could lead to serious injury.

Fire Hazards

Storage of hazardous materials on a wood floor.
Electrical fixtures not approved for wet, damp, or corrosive environments.
Incompatible chemicals not kept in a safe storage locker.

Master Plating was closed down in 2002. The experience of shutting it down led EHC to focus on community planning work that changes zoning so that industries are not mixed in with homes and schools.