New York City agreed to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations by establishing a program to audit buildings owned or operated by the city. The intent of the settlement is to improve the city's recognition and proper management of hazardous waste in the building environment.

The audit agreement arises from inspections from 2003 to 2005, which EPA said revealed failure by New York's Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) to make hazardous waste determinations regarding mercury in spent fluorescent lamps and lead in used computer monitors. Additionally, EPA claimed that DCAS failed to meet labeling requirements and also failed to package waste properly to prevent damage or release to the environment.

The city agreed to pay a $50,000 penalty. In the more notable part of the settlement, the city will spend at least $300,000 on a self-audit program that will aid in the proper management of hazardous waste in more than 800 city buildings and will concentrate in particular on mercury-containing lamps and lead-containing computer monitors.

INFO: Contact EPA's Sophia Kelley at 212-637-3670.