ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — Bausch & Lomb, DuPont, Eastman Kodak and Xerox are among eight private and public entities that will reimburse New York state nearly $1.6 million for failing to clean up hazardous waste, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday.
The state filed a lawsuit in 2005 after having to pay to clean up the Rochester Fire Academy, a hazardous waste site in Monroe County where six companies, along with the University of Rochester and Monroe County, disposed of hazardous waste between 1954 and 1980.
Chloride Power Electronics and Rochester Gas & Electric will also reimburse the state, according to the agreement.
Money from the settlement will be used to clean up other contaminated sites.
The Rochester Fire Academy was opened in 1954 to train firefighters to handle a range of hazards.
During its operation, the companies, college and county sent waste solvents, petroleum products, and other flammable substances to the site for use in training exercises.
In 1980 and 1981, tests found high levels of toxic chemicals, including lead and PCBs, contaminating the soil and groundwater at the site.
The city of Rochester, with partial funding from the Superfund program and working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, cleaned up the site.
The various entities did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A number could not be located for Chloride Power Electronics.
