Opinion ID: 159646
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Silver Recovery

Text: 23 Silver recovery is the process by which trace silver is removed from film processing solution, also known as fixer. During the photography development process, fixer is used to remove silver from film; the silver then leeches into the now-used fixer. The silver has to be removed before the used fixer can be safely disposed of in an ordinary drain. A silver recovery machine is used to separate the silver from the used fixer; this process is known as silver recovery. The recovered silver may then be sold and the used fixer disposed of in an ordinary drain. Under the contract, AAA was required to provide the equipment necessary for silver recovery and was required to dispose of the used fixer and other chemicals in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines and standards. 7 24 Shaw testified that in mid-April, 1993, she asked her supervisor, Brakhage, for containers to store used fixer until silver recovery could be accomplished and that Brakhage responded, [W]e're not going to mess with that, just dump it. Shaw further testified that when she continued questioning Brakhage, he replied just dump it down the drain, we're not going to mess with it. Shaw discussed Brakhage's directive with her assistant photographer in the met lab, Sharon Massegee-Thrower. Massegee-Thrower felt they were at risk to be terminated and should do as instructed. Shaw was uncertain, and she left the met lab to find containers for the used fixer. When she returned, Massegee-Thrower was pouring the used fixer down the drain. Shaw stopped her, and they argued. Shaw then called and informed QAE Coil that Brakhage directed her to pour the used fixer down the drain. Coil later reported this to CO Hammond. 25 There was also testimony of at least two additional instances when Brakhage directed employees to dispose of used fixer in the drain, three instances when employees were observed using the drain for used fixer disposal, and two instances when fixer residue was observed in lab sinks. Throughout this time, the government questioned AAA about silver recovery. After CO Hammond learned there was a problem, he mentioned the lack of silver recovery equipment in the photography labs at a meeting with AAA's managers. CO Hammond testified that Keelin-Lowe responded, [B]e patient, we're trying our best to get everything worked out and . . . we plan on having it. When Hammond mentioned the lack of silver recovery equipment to Keelin-Lowe again in May or June 1993, he testified her response was the same. Additionally, on more than one occasion QAE Coil asked Brakhage what AAA was doing to accomplish silver recovery. Coil testified that Brakhage initially responded to her inquiry by saying We're working on it. Later, however, he responded, [Y]ou don't want to know. Eventually, Brakhage would not respond to Coil's inquires at all. 26 Prompted by allegations that chemicals had been improperly poured down the drain, the Office of Special Investigation inspected and temporarily closed the main lab in July 1993. AAA first installed a silver recovery unit in the main photo lab after this inspection. Massagee-Thrower testified that shortly after the inspection, Mike McCurry, AAA's project manager at the time, told her that AAA was in trouble because of its failure to practice silver recovery. Massegee-Thrower further testified that McCurry instructed her to deny improper disposal of used fixer if questioned by government employees. According to the testimony, when Massegee-Thrower responded that this would be a lie, McCurry replied, I know it is, but I just talked to [Keelin-Lowe] and we were told to say that . . . . I lied and you better, too, if you know what's good for you.