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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. A retired Croton architect could face up to a year in jail after being convicted of misdemeanor endangering the public health. The architect improperly disposed of a toxic chemical, ammonium hydroxide, which injured a Croton Department of Public Works employee when containers of the liquid were crushed by a garbage trucks hopper, releasing a burst of the chemical.
Paul Ingvoldstad, 69, of Old Post Road in Croton, was originally indicted on one felony count of endangering the public health. Ingvoldstad originally placed the six one-gallon containers of ammonium hydroxide and some drafting printers on the curb in front of his house when he was cleaning out his home, on July 7, 2010. Ingvoldstad then called the Croton DPW to schedule a bulk pickup of the items, where the drafting printers were picked up but the ammonium hydroxide was left.
The containers sat at the curb for over a week, where additional household garbage was piled. The Croton DPW then picked up the containers with normal household garbage pickup, and when the truck was cycled a Croton DPW employee was directly exposed to a burst of ammonium hydroxide fumes.
The Croton DPW employee, who was operating the compactor, was said the fumes caused him to lose consciousness for over an hour and experience burning, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath, and extreme sensitivity to light.
Croton-on-Hudson police began an investigation and were assisted by investigators from the District Attorneys Office.
Ingvoldstad will be sentenced on March 13, the misdemeanor conviction can carry up to a year in county jail, Ingvoldstad could be minimally sentenced to probation. The original charge on which he was indicted, felony endangering the public health, carried up to seven years in state prison.
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