The federal government has fined a Redwood City recycling company $189,000 over allegations it polluted San Francisco Bay with toxic metal debris.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice announced the fine against Sims Metal Management on Thursday.
The EPA charged the company had been allowing toxic dust from metal to fall off a conveyor system and into a creek that feeds into San Francisco Bay since at least the early 1990s.
As part of a settlement agreement, the recycling company will be required to pay the cost of cleanup in addition to the fine.
Sims Metal spokeswoman Jill Rodby told the San Francisco Chronicle the company has implemented a number of best practices around the conveyor and agreed to the settlement without acknowledging any wrongdoing.
