Myron H. Feldman, Hazardous Waste Violation, PA 2003

West Hazelton, PA – Myron H. Feldman was sentenced in May 2003 following a guilty plea related to the illegal storage and abandonment of hazardous waste at a former Pennsylvania Textile, Inc. manufacturing site. The discovery of over a hundred drums of unidentified materials triggered a federal investigation and ultimately led to Feldman’s conviction under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

The case unfolded after authorities responded to the abandoned factory and an associated trailer in West Hazelton. Investigators found approximately 80 drums within the trailer and hundreds more inside the dilapidated factory building. The contents of these drums remained largely unknown at the time of discovery, raising concerns about potential environmental and public health risks. The abandoned site presented a clear violation of federal regulations governing hazardous waste management.

Feldman was initially charged on November 26, 2002, with knowingly treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous waste without the required permits – a direct violation of 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led the investigation, working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) to assess the scope of the contamination and potential remediation costs.

After pleading guilty on December 16, 2002, Feldman faced sentencing on May 2, 2003. The court imposed a 60-month probation period, alongside financial penalties. These included a $100 special assessment fee, a $3,000 federal fine, and a substantial restitution order of $230,857. The restitution was specifically directed towards PADEP to cover the considerable expenses incurred in cleaning up the hazardous waste site and mitigating environmental damage.

The case highlights the serious consequences of improperly handling and abandoning hazardous materials. RCRA regulations are in place to protect human health and the environment by ensuring the safe management of waste from “cradle to grave.” Feldman’s actions not only violated these regulations but also placed a significant financial burden on taxpayers through the required cleanup efforts. The PADEP continues to monitor former industrial sites across Pennsylvania for similar violations.

While the exact nature of the materials in the drums remains somewhat unclear from court records, the sheer volume and improper storage constituted a significant environmental hazard. This case serves as a stark reminder that those responsible for managing hazardous waste must adhere strictly to federal and state regulations, or face potentially severe criminal and financial repercussions.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Myron H. Feldman
Location: West Hazelton, Pennsylvania
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – RCRA
Date of Charge: November 26, 2002
Date of Guilty Plea: December 16, 2002
Sentence: 60 months probation, $100 assessment, $3,000 fine, $230,857 restitution
Discovery: Over 100 drums of unidentified material found abandoned at a former textile factory.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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