Closed Millstadt lab declared a hazard by IEPA

The site of a closed Millstadt business has been declared a hazard by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

IEPA director Lisa Bonnett has issued an order that the former site of Advanced Asymetrics, Inc. be sealed. The business, which was located at 109 S. Kossuth, specialized “in the custom synthesis of chiral chemicals,” according to its website.

The business, which has been closed since at least 2012 when its electricity was disconnected, was found to contain unsecured hazardous waste.

“The Illinois EPA inspected the site on Aug.14 and discovered that the facility had several unlocked doors and broken windows with missing glass,” according to the statement released by the IEPA. “Inspectors could detect an odor from the outside of the building and took precaution by wearing Level B protection with self-containing breathing apparatus prior to entering the premises.

Upon entering the building, inspectors found analytical equipment, labeled and unlabeled chemical bottles, and broken bottles on the floor. Several containers labeled hazardous waste were also found on the property. Thousands of containers ranging from a few milliliters to 55-gallon drums were discovered during the inspection.”

In addition to issuing the seal order, IEPA leaders have referred the case to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for possible prosecution and for cleaning and dismantling of the remaining laboratory.

“The abandoned laboratory poses an increased danger to the public due to the quantity of known and unknown chemicals that were found to be unsecured on the property,” according to the IEPA statement. “The Illinois EPA believes that the site poses an immediate health risk to anyone entering the site.”

The former business is located in a residential neighborhood and near an assisted living center for senior citizens.

This story was originally published August 19, 2015 at 11:14 PM with the headline "Closed Millstadt lab declared a hazard by IEPA."