United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Oil and Special Materials
Control Division
WH-548
Washington, DC 20460
January 1980
EPA/430/9-80/004
Water and Waste Management
&EPA
Damages and Threats
Caused by Hazardous
Material Sites
*•
Chemical Control Site-Elizabeth, New Jersey-January 198G
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DAMAGES AND THREATS CAUSED BY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SITES
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OIL AND SPECIAL MATERIALS CONTROL DIVISION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
MAY 1980
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Preface v1
Introduction 1x
Section 1.
Examples of Hazardous Waste Sites Causing
Adverse Public Health and Environmental 1
Consequences
Section 2.
Abstacts of Hazardous Waste Site Releases .... 41
and Potential Releases
Alabama 42
Alaska 47
Arizona 48
Arkansas 51
California 54
Colorado 60
Connecticut 65
Delaware 72
Florida 74
Georgia 78
Guam 79
Idaho 80
Illlinois 81
Indiana 99
Iowa 103
iii
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
Kansas 106
Kentucky 108
Louisiana 110
Maine 114
Maryland 117
Massachusetts 119
Michigan 123
Minnesota 131
Missouri 141
Montana 146
Nevada 147
New Hampshire 148
New Jersey 150
New Mexico 174
New York 175
North Carolina 197
Ohio 201
Oregon 207
Pennsylvania 208
iv
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)
Page
Rhode Island 225
South Carolina 230
South Dakota 232
Tennessee . 233
Texas 240
Utah 244
Vermont 245
Virginia 246
Washington 250
Wisconsin 254
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Preface
This document is a partial compilation of damages and
threats from hazardous waste sites in the United States. It
was compiled only from data readily available to EPA during
February and March 1980.
The damages covered in the more than 350 site
descriptions contained in this report included ground water
contamination, drinking water well closures, fish kills,
property damage from fires and explosions, and kidney
disorders, cancer and death.
The pathways through which the hazardous materials cause
these damages encompass all environmental media — land,
surface waters, ground waters and air.
The hazardous materials which migrate from sites to
cause these damages include the full range of organic and
inorganic chemicals as well as waste oils and grease. They
can be loosely divided into six main groups:
o solvents and related organics such as
trichloroethylene, chloroform and toluene
o PCB's and PBB's
o pesticides
o inorganic chemicals such as ammonia, cyanide, acids
and bases
o heavy metals such as mercury, chromium, lead, and
cadmium
o wastes oils and grease
vi
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Each group of wastes, and often individual pollutants,
exhibits different rates of migration, different effects on
biota and public health, and requires different site
containment, remedy and restoration procedures.
The report is divided into two sections. The first
provides detailed descriptions of 24 sites* where there has
been significant public health and environmental damage.
Many of these sites have been assessed in order to determine
necessary cleanup and remedy action but currently are only
being contained due to the lack of funding and legal
authority.
The second section is a compilation of abstracts of
approximately 350 hazardous waste sites where damages have
occurred or threaten to do so. The abstracts briefly
describe the site, the toxic pollutants involved, the media
or resource affected and the damages. Where information was
readily available, the status of the site and possible
remedial actions are included. Sites are summarized in the
right hand margin by two identifiers. The first names the
pollutant(s) involved, while the second is the damaged
resource or affected media.
In summary, it is important to reiterate that this
report is only an initial and incomplete listing of
environmental and public health damages resulting from
inadequate handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
•condensed descriptions are included in the second section
vii
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The report will be revised and expanded as time and resources
permit. Moreover, a great deal of additional information
concerning actual and threatened damages from hazardous
material sites will be available shortly from a variety of
sources and activities. These include State and EPA
assessments of hazardous material sites, surface impoundment
assessments conducted by the States under the Safe Drinking
Water Act, drinking water analysis surveys, and the
prospective inventory of active hazardous waste sites
required by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Users desiring further information regarding the
preparation of this report may contact Mr. Robert Mason,
Hazardous Waste Site Control Branch (WH-548), U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460
(202/245-3051).
viii
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Introduction
Hazardous wastes pose a threat to public health and the
environment. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of
1976 established a system for managing hazardous wastes, but
recent events have drawn attention to several problems which
existing law does not address. These include authority and
funding for cleanup of abandoned and inactive waste sites and
for compensation of a variety of third party damages
including personal injury, property damage and lost income.
EPA defines hazardous wastes as those that are toxic,
corrosive, ignitable, or chemically reactive. Ten to fifteen
•
percent of all industrial wastes (or about 30-40 million
metric tons, annually) are hazardous. These figures are
estimated to increase three percent each year. Hazardous
wastes are generated and disposed of in virtually every state
in the nation. EPA estimates that 80 to 90 percent of these
wastes are being disposed of in an environmentally unsafe
manner.
The types of hazardous waste being disposed of include
pesticides, highly toxic organic chemicals, other organic
chemicals of unknown toxicity, inorganics, radioactive
substances, explosives and flammables. Some wastes are not
biodegradable and persist in the environment indefinitely.
In addition, the mixing of certain chemical wastes may
produce constituents that are more persistent and dangerous.
uc
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Hazardous wastes are composed of many constituents which
vary in type, toxicity, and effect. Various constituents can
pollute the air, contaminate ground and surface water
(possibly public water supplies), accumulate in the food
chain, produce fires and explosions, and cause poisoning,
cancer, genetic deformation, birth defects, and miscarriages.
In addition, social damages such as property loss or
devaluation and loss of economic livelihood are potential
consequences of improper hazardous waste disposal.
In the past, a lack of Federal and State legislation,
the relative surplus of land and water, and the nature of the
free market economy (which does not adequately internalize
disposal costs), allowed generators of hazardous wastes to
•
dispose of their residues in the least costly manner. These
methods include disposal into unregulated landfills, many of
them poorly designed and sited; in on-site pits, ponds, or
lagoons, often without proper sealing; and unmonitored and
uncontrolled incineration. At present there are
approximately 18,500 municipal solid waste disposal sites,
23,000 sites for disposal of sewage sludge, and over 100,000
industrial waste sites. Adding to the problem are an untold
number of sites where hazardous wastes have been illegally
disposed. As a result of improper disposal methods, the
environment and public health has been threatened and in
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many cases damaged.
The most highly publicized contamination incident by
toxic chemicals occurred at the Love Canal industrial waste
site in Niagara Falls, New York. However, this document
clealry establishes that the tragedy of Love Canal is not an
isolated example but, rather, is part of a pervasive national
problem. Hazardous waste sites are causing widespread damage
to the environment and pose a substantial threat to public
health.
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Errata - Page xii
Summary of Number of Sites in Each State
Table I
State
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Del aware
Florida
Georgia
Guam
Idaho
111 inois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Mary!and
Massachussetts
Michigan
Number of Sites
10
1
3
5
11
10
12
2
5
1
1
1
28
6
5
3
4
7
7
3
7
9
State
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Number of Sites
12
7
1
1
3
48
1
41
8
' 11
1
46
7
3
1
14
8
1
1
4
10
10
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SUMMARY OF HAZARDOUS MATERIAL DAMAGES
The following table summarizes the number and type of
hazardous materials damages identified in the Hazardous Waste
Site Report. The types of hazardous materials damages have
been grouped under nine general categories:
1. Groundwater/Water Supply - These damages that have
resulted in the contamination of water supplies
and/or groundwaters. Water supplies are both
groundwaters and reservoirs. While most potable
water supplies in the Report are groundwaters, not
all groundwaters are potable drinking water
supplies.
2. Well Closures - These are incidents where drinking
water wells were actually closed. Instances of
contamination but not closure are not included.
The citation consists of the number of sites in a
particular State followed by the number (in
parentheses) of actual wells closed in the State.
3. Habitat Destruction - These are incidents where
natural habitats such as streams, rivers, lakes, or
fields have been rendered unfit for indigenous
species or contaminated to the extent that
indigenous species, while present, are adversely
affected.
4. Human Health - These are instances of actual human
health damages such as kidney malfunction,
respiratory difficulties or death. Endangerment
sites are not included in this category.
xiii
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5. Soil Contamination - While most sites have some
degree of soil contamination, only those sites
where the major consideration is the hazard
presented by the presence of contaminated soils are
included. Such sites as those rendered unfit for
planned playgrounds or developments are examples of
situations in this category.
6. Pish Kills - These are cases of documented fish
kills caused by the chronic release of hazardous
materials from a site.
7. Livestock - These are instances of actual loss of
livestock due to the ingestion of contaminated
vegetation or waters.
8. POTWs or Sewers - These are instances of chronic
discharge of hazardous materials into sewer systems
or to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) which
rendered them unsafe or inoperable.
9. Other - These sites include damages to crops or
wildlife, air pollution, fire or explosion hazards,
and abandoned sites.
It should be noted that, for a given site, the categories
described above and summarized in the table are not mutually
exclusive; that is, one site may have resulted in more than
one category of damages.
xiv
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SUMMARY OF DAMAGES BY HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
TABLE II
State Ground water/ Well Habitat Human Soil
Water Supply Closures Destruction Health Contamination
Fish
Kills
Livestock
POTW's or Other.
Sewers
Alabama 3
Alaska
Arizona 3
Arkansas
California 7
Colorado 2
Connecticut 7
Delaware 2
Florida 2
Georgia
Hawaii -
Idaho
Illinois 17
Indiana 4
Iowa 3
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana 2
Maine 3
Maryland 1
Massachusetts 4
Michigan 7
Minnesota 7
Mississippi
Missouri 1
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire 1
New Jersey 9
New Mexico
New York 15
North Carolina 2
North Dakota
Ohio 3
Oklahoma
Oregon 1
Pennsylvania 35
Rhode Island 5
South Carolina 2
South Dakota
Tennessee 5
Texas 1
Utah 1
Vermont 1
Virginia
Washington 6
West Virginia
Wisconsin 4
Wyoming
Guam
Trust Territories
1(17)
3(252)
3(41)
2(unk)
1
1
2(9)
2(15)
3(22+)
111(3)
3(34)
4(21)
2(6+)
3(11)
2(2+)
2(16+)
2(6)
3 &
2{4{,
1
1
3
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
2
a
2
1
3
4
11
3
2
TOTAL
168
44(468+) 74
27
43
29
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SUMMARY OF CHEMICALS AND CHEMICAL PRECURSORS
FOUND AT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SITES
The following tables provide summary data for the
chemicals found at the more than 350 hazardous materials
sites identified in the report. Neither the sites identified
in the Report, nor the chemicals identified at the sites are
intended to constitute a valid statistical sampling of the
total hazardous materials situation. The EPA does believe/
however, that these data are useful in illustrating the basis
of the hazardous materials situation and shows the
relationship between raw materials subject to fee collection
and wastes present at hazardous waste disposal sites.
Table III list the petrochemical and inorganic raw
materials to which the proposed Superfund fee will be
assessed and gives the number of sites that were identified
as containing each raw material as well as the number of
sites containing chemical compounds which are derived from
the listed raw materials. It can be seen from the table that
toluene and chromium and chromium compounds are the raw
materials most often found at sites while benzene and
chlorine are the most frequent precursors of substances found
at the hazardous materials sites.
xvi
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Table IV lists the direct raw material precursors for
each of the chemicals found at hazardous material sites
identified in the Report. There are three points to be made
with regard to the information included in this table:
1) The list of chemicals identified as being present at
the sites is not necessarily a complete list of those
chemicals actually present. The number and type of
chemicals identified at sites has generally been
limited due to resource and technical constraints.
2) The list of raw materials compiled for each chemical
is not exhaustive. Many intermediate chemicals and
catalysts have been omitted.
3) Many chemicals, especially acids and bases, which
were originally placed at disposal sites, may quickly
react with other materials present, e.g., containers,
other wastes, thereby changing their chemical nature
and avoiding detection during 6n-site visits.
Therefore, neither the lists of materials identified at the
sites nor the raw materials may be considered to be complete.
Only a conservative idea of the extent to which each of the
raw materials subject to the Superfund fee collection
contributes to the hazardous materials sites situation can be
obtained from these data.
xvii
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TABLE III
SITES CONTAINING SITES CONTAINING TOTAL
PETROCHEMICALS RAW MATERIAL DERIVATIVES SITES
Acetylene 0 56 56
Benzene 19 113 132
Butane 0 88
Butylene 0 88
Butadiene 0 00
Ethylene 0 97 97
Methane 1 44 45
Napthalene 2 02
Propylene 0 14 14
Toluene 23 30 53
Xylene 12 6 18
WASTE OIL 35 0 35
INORGANICS
Ammonia 6 22 • 28
Antimony & compounds 1 01
Arsenic & compounds 10 0 10
Barium sulfide 0 00
Berylium & compounds 0 00
Bromine 0 22
Cadmium 5 05
Chlorine & compounds 5 197 202
Chromium & compounds 18 1 19
Cobalt 1 01
Copper 6 17
Hydrogen fluoride 2 13
Lead & compounds 11 0 11
Mercury 16 0 16
Nickel 4 04
Nitric acid 1 01
Phosphorous & compounds 6 8 14
Potassium hydroxide 1 01
Selenium 1 01
Sodium hydroxide 0 39 39
Sulfuric acid 3 35 38
Stannic(ous) chlorides 0 00
Zinc 9 2 11
xviii
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TABLE IV
MATERIALS FOUND ON SITE
ACETIC ACID
ACETONE
ALDRIN
ALKYL BENZENE SULFONATE
ALLYL ETHER
ASBESTOS
BENZENE HEXACHLORIDE
CARBOFURAN
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE
CHLORANILIC ACID
CHLOROFORM
CHROMIC ACID
CUMENE
CYANIDE
CYCLOHEXAMINE
DIBROMOCHLOROPROPANE
DDT
DBF
DICHLOROBENZ ENE
DIELDRIN
DICHLOROETHANE
DICHLOROETHYLENE
PETROCHEMICAL AND INORGANIC
CHEMICAL PRECURSORS
Butane, Ethylene, Methane, Propane
Benzene, Propylene
Acetylene, Chlorine, Pentane
Benzene, Propylene, Sulfuric acid
Chlorine, Copper, Sodium hydroxide
Sulfuric acid, Propylene
Natural mineral
Benzene, Chlorine
Acetic acid, Ethylene, Chlorine,
Methane
Chlorine, Methane, Propane
Benzene, Chlorine
Chlorine, Methane
Chromium, Sulfuric acid
Benzene, Phosphoric acid,
Propylene
Ammonia, Methane
Ammonia, Benzene, Sulfuric acid
Bromine, Chlorine, Propylene
Benzene, Chlorine, Sulfuric acid
Butylene, Chlorine, Phosphorus,
Sodium, Hydrogen sulfide
Chlorine, Benzene
Acetylene, chlorine, Pentane
Chlorine, Crude oil. Natural gas
Chlorine, Ethylene
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TABLE IV (Continued)
MATERIALS FOUND ON SITE
DIMETHYL SULFIDE
DIOXANE
DIOXIN
ENDOSULFAN
ENDRIN
ETHANOL
ETHYLBENZENE
ETHYL ACETATE
ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE
ETHYLENE GLYCOL
FREON
HEPTANE
HEPTACHLOR
HEXACHLOROB ENZ ENE
HEXACHLOROBUTADIENE
HEXACHLOROCYCLOPENTADIENE
HEXANE
HYDROGEN SULFIDE
KEPONE
LINDANE
LITHIUM
PETROCHEMICAL AND INORGANIC
CHEMICAL PRECURSORS
Hydrogen sulfide, Methane
Ethylene, Sodium hydroxide
Acetic acid, Chlorine, Phenol,
Sodium hydroxide
Butylene, Chlorine, Pentane,
Toluene, Sulfuric acid
Acetylene, Ethylene, Chlorine,
Pentane, Hydrochloric acid,
Sodium hydroxide
Ethylene
Benzene, Coal, Ethylene, Xylene
Butane, Ethylene
Bromine, Ethylene
Ethylene, Sodium hydroxide
Chlorine, Ethylene, Methane,
Hydrogen fluoride
Crude Oil
Acetylene, Chlorine, Pentane
Benzene, Chlorine
Butylene, Hydrochloric acid
Chlorine, Pentane
Crude oil
Hydrogen, Sulfur
Aluminum, Chlorine, Pentane
Benzene, Chlorine
Natural metal
xx
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TABLE IV (Continued)
MATERIALS FOUND ON SITE
METHACRYLIC ACID
METHANE GAS
METHYL ETHYL KETONE
METHYLENE CHLORIDE
MIREX
O-NITOANILINE
PARATHION
POLYBROMINATED BIPHENYLS
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
PENTACHLOROPHENOL
PHENOL
SODIUM
SODIUM ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE
STYRENE
TETRACHLOROBENZ ENE
TETRACHLOROETHYLENE
TRICHLOROETHANE
TRICHLOROETHYLENE
TRIMETHYLSILANOL
TRIS (TROMETHAMINE)
VINYL CHLORIDE
ZINC CHLORIDE
PETROCHEMICAL AND INORGANIC
CHEMICAL PRECURSORS
Ammonia, Benzsene, Propylene
Natural gas
n-Butane/ Butylene
Chlorine, Methane
Aluminum, Chlorine, Pentane
Ammonia, Benzene, Sulfuric acid
Ethanol, Chlorine, Methane,
Phosphorus, Ammonia, Sodium
Benzene, Bromine
Benzene, Chlorine
Benzene, Chlorine, Phenol, Toluene
Benzene, Sodium hydroxide,
Sulfuric acid, Toluene
Natural metal
Aluminum ore, Sodium hydroxide
Benzene, Ethylene, Xylene
Benzene, Chlorine
Ethylene, Chlorine
*
Ethylene, Chlorine
Acetylene, Chlorine, Ethylene
Ammonia, Chlorine, Bromine,
Methane
Ammonia, Methane
Acetylene, Ethylene, Hydrochloric
acid, Sodium hydroxide
Chlorine, Hydrochloric acid. Zinc
xxi
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TABLE IV (Continued)
OTHER MATERIALS FOUND ON SITES
ACIDS
ALKALINE WASTES
AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHLORINATED ORGANICS
COAL TARS
EXPLOSIVES
FLY ASH
HERBICIDES
NITRATES
PESTICIDES
PETROCHEMICALS
POLYNUCLEAR ORGANICS
SOLVENTS
TOXIC METALS
URANIUM RADIATION
VOLATILE ORGANICS
WASTE OIL
REPRESENTATIVE CONSTITUENTS
Nitric acid, Chromic acid,
Sulfuric acid
Sodium hydroxide, Potassium
hydroxide
Benzene, Butylene, Butadiene,
Napthalene, etc.
Benzene, Chlorine
Napthalene, Toluene, Benzene
Methane, Ammonia, Nitric acid
Mineral salts, Heavy metals
Arsenic, Benzsene, Chlorine
Nitric acid, Ammonia
Arsenic, Benzene, Chlorine
Benzene, Napthalene, Toluene
Butylene, Butadiene, Napthalene,
Benzene
Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Mercury
Uranium
Methane, Acetylene, Benzene,
Butane
Napthalene, Toluene, Xylene
xxii
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SECTION 1
Examples of Hazardous Waste Sites
causing adverse Public Health and
Environmental consequences.
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Lathrop, California, 1980
The Occidental Chemical Company's facilty in Lathrop, California
has been the source of extensive environmental contamination and
potential human health problems in the town of Lathrop. For many
years, Occidental and its predecessors have dumped chemical and
radiological wastes into unlined ponds, a lined pond, ditches and other
disposal areas at the Lathrop facility. The liquid and solid wastes
from the manufacture of pesticides and fertilizer products at the plant
have percolated downward through the soil, causing pollution and
contamination of the underlying shallow groundwater. This shallow
groundwater, the top layer of which lies approximately 7 to 25 feet
from the surface, generally migrates in a northerly direction frcm the
Lathrop facility toward the cities of Stockton and Lathrop. Polluted
groundwater frcm the facility's disposal areas, in the course of
migraton, has reached groundwater that is the source of drinking water
for the Lathrop County Water District, whose wells are located
approximately 1.5 miles from the facility and service more than 3,000
persons. In addition, other local domestic and public water supplies
within the district have been affected.
Occidental Chemical Company is a wholly owned subsidary of Hooker
Chemical Corporation, whose parent company is Occidental Petroleum
Corporation. Its main production facility located in the town of
Lathrop, lies approximately 10 miles south of Stockton, California and
1.8 miles east of the San Joaquin River in San Joaquin County. The
plant is bordered by an automobile glass manufacturing plant, a dairy
farm, two streets and the outskirts of Lathrop.
The company and its predecessors have manufactured, formulated and
handled pesticide and fertilizer products at the Lathrop facility since
1953, when the original Best Fertilizer Company plant was constructed.
In 1963, Occidental acquired Best and has continued to produce
pesticides including lUbromochloropropane (DBCP until 1977),
Heptachlor, Hexachlorocylohexane (BHC), the ganma iscmer of which is
commercially known as Lindane, S, S, S-Tributyl phosphorotrithioate
(DEF), Chlordane, Dieldrin, Ethylene Dibrcmide, Dimethoate, and 1,1,1
Trichloro-2, 2-tois (p-chlorophenyl) ethane (otherwise known as DDT).
In addition, Occidental has produced a wide range of fertilizers such
as sulfuric, phosphoric, and flurosilicic acid, anmcnia, anrncnium
phosphate, and anroonium sulfate. Gypsun (also known as calciun
sulfate) is produced as a fertilizer by-product.
As long ago as I960, the California Regional Water Quality Control
Board issued a Resolution prohibiting Occidental's predecessor. Best
Fertilizer, frcm discharging chemical wastes which would cause the
level of inorganic chemicals in usable groundwater to exceed
permissible limits or otherwise pollute ground or surface waters so as
to be deleterious to human, animal or aquatic life. In 1968 this
Resolution was reissued to Occidental.
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Since then, a host of hazardous chemicals have teen discovered in
the vicinity of the facility and seme of these have migrated from
containment ponds and disposal areas to the Lathrop County Water
District wells. Among the disposal facilities on-site are an unlined
pesticide waste pond; six unlined gypsum ponds; an unlined concentrator
pond that cools phosphoric acid plant concentrator; a hydraulic
asphalt-lined rainwater runoff pond; a cooling pond disposal ditch used
to transport pesticide wastes from the plant to the pesticide pond, and
a "boneyard" disposal area where solid pesticide and heavy metal
catalyst wastes have been disposed.
Hazardous wastes that have migrated to the Lathrop District
drinking wells and have been found in detectable levels are the
following: DBCP, a known animal and suspected human carcinogen which
causes sterility in males; Lindane, a toxic pesticide and known animal
carcinogen which drastically affects reproduction in animals, and DBF,
which damages the central nervous system. Alpha radiation frcrn uranium
in gypsum ponds has also been detected in the Lathrop water supply,
water wells and irrigation wells. It is a known human carcinogen which
usually causes fatal leukemia. Among chemicals detected in the soil at
the facility and/or in the groundwater are: Chlordane, Dieldrin,
Heptachlor, Ethylene Dibromide, Dimethoate, and DDT, all of which are
highly toxic and known animal carcinogens. Concentrations of sulfates
and nitrates exceeding the Regional Water Board's limits have also been
found in production wells in the vicinity of the Lathrop facility.
"Hie Justice Department, acting for EPA, and with the State of
California filed suit in Federal District Court in Sacramento on
December 18, 1979 against Occidental and its parent corporation,
charging that the company's discharges pose an "imminent and
substantial endangerment to health and the environment" and will
continue to do so in the future.
Occidental is specifically charged with having taken inadequate
account of possible environmental dangers from its waste disposits over
a period of years in unlined or inadequately lined ponds and other
disposal areas; failure to take adequate precautions to prevent waste
migration and ultimately contamination of agricultural, industrial and
domestic water; and failure to report its discharges of pesticides and
radiological substances.
The suit asks the court to enjoin the company to complete clean-up
measures by July 1, 1981 to prevent further migration of groundwater
contaminants. The measures include implementation of a comprehensive
plan to determine the extent of pesticide, chemical and radiological
contamination of nearby groundwater and soils; immediate and perpetual
monitoring of contaminants to verify that the migration has ceased;
excavation of hazardous waste materials and contaminated soils from
various disposal areas; curtailment of hazardous, liquid
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and solid waste storage for any period in excess of 6 months; cessation
of the discharge of pesticide, chemical and other wastes to surface
water, groundwater or land; a guarantee of sufficient funds to
clean-up; and provision of drinking water to any users whose water
supply is contaminated by discharge from Occidental/Hooker's Lathrop
facility. In addition to this injunctive relief, the suit asks for
financial reimbursement to California and the U.S. for costs incurred
in determining the extent of the public health and environmental
threat, and substantial civil penalties to the State of California for
continuing violations of the Regional Water Board's orders.
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Stringfellow Disposal Site, Riverside County, California
The Stringfellow Class I Disposal Site landfill contains a wide
variety of industrial wastes (primarily spent acids and caustics),
totaling approximately 32,000,000 gallons in 19 years. Contamination
of groundwater has occurred from leachate and surface run-off. The
State Legislature in 1978 appropriated $370,000 for the closure and
maintenance of the Stringfellow site ty the Santa Anna Regional Water
Quality Control Board. Final closure is now estimated to total $12 -
13 million.
On March 5, 1980, the Regional Response Team determined that
Stringfellow was leaching wastes to the Santa Anna River, and in
imminent danger of major structural failure. $290,000 in 311K funds
was spent over ten days to remove 4 million gallons of wastewater,
reinforce containments, and repair the access road. Leachate was
controlled, and there were no major discharges.
Waste received primary wastewater treatment, dilution, and
discharge to an ocean outfall.
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Groundwater Contamination Beneath the Pocky Mountain Arsenal
Rocky Mountain Arsenal, jointly operated by the U.S. Army
Chemical Corps, and Shell Chemical Company, is located between Denver
and Brighton, Colorado. Over the years, the facility has disposed of
a complex mixture of chemical by-products from the manufacture of
pesticides and herbicides, along with other wastes during the years
1943-1957. Originally, wastes were disposed of in unlined holding
ponds, a practice which resulted in infiltration into the shallow
water table aquifer and the consequent migration of contaminants
through the groundwater. Although this practice was discontinued in
1957, extensive groundwater contamination is still very much in
evidence.
To date, thirty square miles of the shallow water table aquifer
are contaminated, resulting in the temporary abandonment of sixty-four
domestic, stock, and irrigation wells. Soil in the vicinity of one
pond is contaminated by the pesticides aldrin and dieldrin.
Classified as cyclodienes, these compounds are derivatives of
hexachlorocyclopentadiene. They bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of
terrestrial and aquatic organisms and tend to persist in the
environmental over long periods. These pesticides are quite toxic,
mainly affecting the central nervous system. Typical symptoms of
poisoning include: headache, blurred vision, dizziness, involuntary
muscular movements, sweating, insomnia, nausea, and general malaise.
More severe cases manifest jerking of muscles and convulsions
resembling epilepsy, with loss of consciousness, disorientation,
personality changes .and loss of memory.
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In April 1975, the Colorado Department of Health issued a cease
and desist order against the U.S. Army and Shell Chemical Company to
stop polluting the surface and groundwater. Since that the Army
has entered into an extensive joint monitoring program with the
Department of Health. A 96 acre asphalt lined reservoir with a
holding capacity of 240 million gallons and an injection well have
been constructed. In an effort to eliminate leakage from the
perimeter of the asphalt-lined reservoir, the influent pipe has been
extended to the center, and 800 feet of chemical sewer line has been
replaced. Water which has surfaced in a slough area located 1.3 miles
northeast of the reservoir has been pumped back to prevent further
contamination.
The Army has constructed a slurry trench cut-off wall along a
section of the northern boundary of the arsenal property.
Contaminated groundwater is pumped from one side of the cutoff wall,
treated, and re-injected on the other side. The Army is evaluating
plans for extending this trench.
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Byron Salvage - Byron, Illinois
The Byron Salvage Yard, occupying an area of approximately 20
acres, was established in 1970 as a waste disposal operation. As
early as October, 1970, investigative field work by the Illinois EPA
(IEEA) revealed that cyanide-containing plating waste was sprayed onto
the roads in and around the salvage yard and that plating wastes,
barrels of waste oil, sodium cyanide, paint and paint thinners were
dumped, partially buried, or buried in the ravine on the property and
are strewn on the ground surface. These activities resulted in high
concentrations of cyanide and toxic metals in soils, surface water and
groundwater. An estimated 10 acres of the 20 acre site are
contaminated.
The salvage yard is primarily located on an upland area which is
dissected by several small ravines. These ravines, 10 to 20 feet
deep, are tributaries to South Branch Woodland Creek which is an
intermittent stream. The South Branch Woodland Creek flows northwest,
about two miles, to Rock River.
Infiltration of liquid wastes or leaching out of chemicals from
the wastes by precipitation has caused an accumulation of cyanide and
heavy metals in the soils on the site in significant quantities.
Samples collected from pools and flowing water indicate that surface-
water is polluted in the ravines and downstream in South Branch
Woodland Creek near the ravines.
The magnitude of the pollution of groundwater seems to be less
than that of soils and surface water, although percolation of the
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polluted surface water does pose a serious threat to the two principal
aquifers in the area.
No remedial action has been taken at the Byron Salvage Yard
except for covering of the barrels in the ravines, which was ordered
by IEPA in 1972.
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MID-CO-Industrial Highway, Gary, Indiana
In August, 1977, a five-acre solvent recovery facility in Gary,
Indiana was the scene of a spectacular fire leaving a large amount of
debris from the fire and a small number of undamaged druns at the
site.
The Industrial Highway facility had provided above ground storage
in an open field since early 1975. While no inventory has been taken
of the wastes present at the site, they included at least plating
wastes, solvents, acids, and cyanide.
The site is in a heavily industrial area of the City of Gary with
the nearest residence located approximately one half mile away. The
site is strewn with the charred remains of perhaps 40,000-50,000
55-gallon drums. There is also at least one in-ground storage tank
(which still contains an unidentified pink substance), several hundred
intact drums (some containing cyanide), and a sludge pit with surface
dimensions of approximately 100 x 20 feet. There are also several
large tanks, a truck trailer, distillation equipment and assorted
other debris strewn around the site.
Soil and water samples from the site have shown contamination by
phenols, chromium, cyanides, arsenic and lead. There is a potential
for groundwater contamination. The site also poses a fire hazard and,
due to lax security may present a potential exposure of solvent fumes
to the public.
Estimates of the cost of cleaning the site are approximately
$1,800,000 for removal and disposal of remaining on-site wastes and
monitoring, and $3,114,000 for measures which minimize future
pollution problems.
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Hexachlorobenzene Contamination of Cattle in Louisiana
In 1972, a routine sample of beef fat taken as part of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Meat and Poultry Inspection Program,
revealed a high level of contamination by hexachlorobenzene (HCB).
HCB, a by-product of the manufacture of carbon tetrachloride and
perchloroethylene, can cause liver deterioration, convulsions and
death.
Contaminated steer were traced to a herd in Darrow, Louisiana.
Subsequent sampling of the entire herd revealed extensive
contamination by HCB in the cattle, as veil as in soils and
vegetation.
The source of the HCB contamination was traced to volatilization
of HCB from landfilled wastes in the area, as well as fron direct
emissions into the air from the Vulcan Materials Corporation and other
similar industrial plants in the area. Settlement of HCB on pastures
led to bioaccumulation of HCB in the tissues of grazing cattle.
When evidence of widespread contamination was confirmed, the
State of Louisiana imposed a quarantine on livestock produced over the
100 square mile wide affected area. In 1973, the State also forced
the Vulcan Materials Corporation to stop any air emissions of HCB, as
well as to bury its wastes on-site, using a plastic liner and soil
cover.
Initial estimates of losses to be incurred by ranchers were as
high as $3.9 million, based on the assumption that approximately
30,000 cattle would have to be destroyed. However, levels of HCB
dropped with time as the cattle were removed fron contaminated areas
and fed an uncontaminated diet. Only 27 animals proved unmarketable
by the end of 1974, when the quarantine was lifted by the State.
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The total direct cost of this incident was in excess of $380,000,
primarily due to monitoring and enforcement costs of $143,000 and the
loss of use of grazing land estimated at $200,000. The loss due to
unmarketable cattle was reduced to $38,000.
As a result of the incident, a number of HCB-related studies were
initiated by EPA and other agencies. One of these has shown
disproprotionately high plasma HCB levels in people living in the area
of Louisiana where the contamination occurred. The highest level
encountered in the general population was 23 ppb, and a waste disposal
facility worker was found to have a level of 345 ppb. The average
level was 3.6 ppb. No toxic symptoms were evident.
HCB is a pollutant of concern because it is persistent in the
environment and is chemically and biologically stable. Continued low-
dose exposure to HCB by ingesticn or inhalation causes bioaccumulation
in animal adipose issues. This can result in chronic damage to the
liver and affect enzymatic function.
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Wells Closed as a Result of Chemical Contamination in Gray/ Maine
In September of 1977 the McKin Company was ordered to close by
town officials of Gray, Maine, due to drinking water well contamina-
tion associated with the site. The facility was built in 1972 to
handle waste oil fron the "Tamano" oil spill in Casco Bay. From 1972
until 1977, the primary operation was as a transfer station for fuel
still bottoms. Materials stored in existing tanks were mixed together
for final shipment to rerefiners. Approximately 100,000 to 200,000
gallons were annually processed by McKin at the Gray site.
There was evidence that wastes were spilled at the processing
facility and leached into the groundwater aquifer. An unpleasant
taste and offensive odors in the drinking water were reported in 1974.
Samples of drinking water were submitted to the state laboratory for
testing, but the contaminants were not identified. The well water
discolored laundry, and so the residents started turning to alternate
sources for their water supply.
In 1977, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, freon, acetone,
xylene, dimethyl sulfide, trimethylsilanol, and alcohols were'
identified. Toxic organics were detected in eight domestic wells
within 2,000 feet of the McKin Company. As a result, the town health
officer ordered sixteen contaminated wells in the area capped. Traces
of these same chemicals were also discovered in the town's public
water supply. Contaminants are thought to have leached into the water
table f ran the town dump where the company disposed of its chemical
wastes.
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Remedial measures have been undertaken. The town has Installed
an alternative water supply to the threatened hones in the area at a
cost of approximately $600,000. Half of the funding was ootnnitted by
the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In addition/
costs were estimated at $50,000 for cleanup of the McKin facility.
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Environmental Contamination in
Wbburn, Massachusetts
A hazardous waste disposal site in Wbburn, Massachusetts is under
investigation, in what may be one of the oldest chemical disposal
areas in the country. The site located in the northern section of the
town covers approximately 800 acres. Historically, the area has been
inhabited by a myriad of industries known or suspected to have used
dangerous chemicals. A portion of the site was occupied by Merrimac
Chemical Company which supplied acids and other chemicals to regional
textile, leather, and paper industries. Over the years, Monsanto,
Stepan Chemical, and Stauffer Chemical have operated facilities in the
town of Vibbum or in the Aber jona River drainage basin. Recently a
portion of the area was acquired by a local developer who subdivided
and sold several parcels for ocmnercial development
A number of taiown contaminants were disposed of en-site in
substantial quantities. Heavy metals associated with tannery wastes-
chromium, arsenic, lead, and zinc, as well as volatile organics and
chlorinated organics were disposed of in the area, and it is now
suspected that these wastes are contaminating the air, soils, and
groundwater, and may be responsible for human health problems in the
region.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has begun to
analyze cancer mortality statistics for the years 1969 through 1978.
Age adjusted death rates for these years were 13% higher than would be
statistically expected from 1972 until the present and the acute
childhood leukemia rate is more than double statistical predictions.
For the census tract, which encompasses the southern portion of the
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town, less than cne case would be expected in a 15 year period - eight
have been observed.
As a result of these statistics, careful correlation of health
data with environmental sampling is necessary. Studies are now being
undertaken to assess this problem. Although Federal and State consent
decrees under wetland protection laws have been negotiated to deal
with about 250 acres of the site, there are a number of hazardous
wastes that must be investigated further. In addition, the management
issues to assure most efficient use of the resource of more than two
dozen government and private entities are substantial.
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Hooker Chemical, Montague Plant, Muskeegon, Michigan, 1979
The Hooker Chemical Conpany occupies an 880 acre site near
Muskeegon, Michigan where over 30 types of chemical substances,
including pesticides, were disposed. The disposal site is located on
the shore of White Lake and contains barrels of waste materials which
have been buried as well as the residues of liquid wastes that were
dumped there.
The leaching of these hazardous materials from the disposal site
has contaminated both the soil and groundwaters within the site. In
addition, the leachate has migrated to White Lake where it has harmed
aquatic life. Leachate has also contaminated drinking water wells
thus exposing nearby residents to possible health effects.
In October of 1979, Hooker Chemical Company and the State of
Michigan signed a consent decree whereby the company agreed to clean
up this disposal site. The cost of remedial actions is estimated to
be $15,000,000 and is to include purge wells, carbon filtration,
removal of contaminated soil, dismanteling of buildings and the
construction of a vault to contain the remaining hazardous materials.
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Arsenic Poisoning in Minnesota
Beginning in May, 1972, eleven residents of Perham, Minnesota
developed arsenic poisoning, shortly after a well was drilled to
supply drinking water for a new office and warehouse structure.
Over a ten week period, eleven employees on the site became ill.
Two persons required hospital ization and one person lost the use of
his legs for about six months due to severe neuropathy. Acute arsenic
poisoning results in marked irritation of the stomach and intestines.
Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are frequently symptoms. 3h severe
cases, this can lead to shock with weak, rapid pulse, cold sweats,
coma and death. Liver damage may occur, and distrubances of the
blood, kidneys, and central nervous system are not infrequent.
Arsenic compounds are also a recognized carcinogen of the skin, lungs
and liver.
Analysis of water from the recently drilled well revealed high
concentrations of arsenic. The source of arsenic was pinpointed to
approximately fifty pounds of grasshopper bait which had been buried
in a trench about forty years before. The area of disposal was
directly adjacent to the new office and warehouse structure.
Several options have been proposed for solving the problem.
These include the following: (a) removal of approximately 2,000 cubic
yards of contaminated soil to sealed vaults; (b) chemical fixation of
the soil and (c) covering the area with asphalt to retard further
leaching of arsenic into the groundwater. The estimate costs of these
solutions range from $2,500 to $25,000.
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Lang-Term Pollution Prbblans Associated with Creosote
Production in St. Louis Park, Minnesota
For 50 years, Reilly Tar and Chemical Company and Republic
Creosoting Company operated on an 80 acre site in St. Louis Park, a
western suburb of Minneapolis. Reilly Tar and Chemical refined coal
tars to produce creosote, and Republic Creosoting then used the
material to treat wood products. While the operation supposedly
included discharge of waste products into a ponding area on the
property, there were apparently numerous cases of spills, leaks,
pipeline breaks, and burial of wastes over the year.
The site has a long history of pollution problems. As early as
the 1930's, sane drinking water wells in the area were closed due to a
tar like taste. In 1969, low levels of possible carcinogens were found
in a groundwater investigation for the City. The Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency ultimately trough suit against the generators in 1970,
and in 1971 the operations were closed down.
Several years of study have revealed the extensive contamination
that the St. Louis Park plant has caused. Cn the site, analyses have
documented the presence of phenols and three polynuclear organics —
phenanthrene, chrysene, and pyrene. Low phenol concentrations have
also been found in wells further than one mile off the site. Certain
drinking water supplies have already been closed due to the capability
of pollutants to migrate with the groundwater flow.
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St. Louis Park purchased the property in 1973 with plans to
conduct a cleanup operation, but the decision as to who will pay has
not yet been settled. In September of 1978, the County went to court
in an attempt to obtain payment for cleanup from Reilly Tar and
Chemical. The actual costs involved have only been roughly estimated,
and are based on a number of assumptions. To date, in excess of
$500,000 has been spent by the City and State on investigative studies
and in addition, the city has incurred costs of more than one million
dollars for various mitigative measures including the capping of veils
and excavation of contaminated materials.
Final cleanup may involve from $20-200 million, depending upon
the extent of mitigation and the remedial methods chosen. Remedial
measures would include the excavation and removal of contaminated
soil, the closing of a fourth well, and the construction of new wells
to service the area.
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Dioxin Poisoning Caused by Improper Waste Disposal in Missouri
In August, 1971, a six-year old girl suffering fron an
inflammatory reaction of the kidney and bladder bleeding was admitted
to a Missouri hospital. A significant clue to the origin of her
illness was the fact that she lived on a farm where many animals had
recently died. The animals, including horses, cats, dogs, and birds,
developed a mysterious fatal illness shortly after the spraying of
waste oil on the farm's horse arena as a dust control measure. The
spraying had take place in late May, 1971, and the child had
frequently played around the horse arenas during the sunnier. Birds
died within three days of the spraying and the first horse died four
weeks later. A total of 63 horses ultimately died, and toxic illness
of varying degrees affected ten people, who experienced symptoms of
diarrhea, headaches, nausea, polythralgias, and persistent skin
lesions.
Soil samples taken from the arena revealed the presence of
dioxin, one of the most toxic chemicals known. Dioxin is a by-
product of the manufacture of a herbicide, which had been manufactured
locally until 1969. Dioxin was subsequently produced as a by-product
of the manufacture of trichlorophenol and hexachlorophene by Northern
Eastern Pharmaceutical and Chemical Co., a subsidiary of Syntex
Agribusiness Inc., at the same site. Residues containing a high
concentation of dioxin had been held in a large storage tank on the
site.
In 1971, the Bliss Waste Oil Co. had contracted to remove the
residues fron the storage tanks, which led to the subsequent contamin-
ation of the waste oil which Mr. Bliss sprayed in the horse arenas.
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The estimated total financial loss, based en filed law suits/ is
close to $500,000. This amount includes medical expenses and cleanup
costs, as well as the loss of business and subsequent sale of one of
the horse arenas. Horses exposed to the contaminated arena continued
to die as late as 1974.
Although Syntex disclaimed legal responsibility for the inherited
residues in the storage tanks, the conpany has volunteered to pay for
the safe disposal of wastes. Several alternative disposal methods
have been considered, including incineration at sea.
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Petrochemical Contamination of the Cohansey Aquifer in New Jersey
Dumping of approximately 6,000 drums of liquid chemical wastes in
the abandoned Reich chicken farm, Dover Township, New Jersey, has
resulted in the chemical contamination of the Gohansey Aquifer, which
is a heavily used aquifer in the New Jersey Coastal Plain.
The wastes, which included a wide variety of petrochemicals with
toxic, flammable, explosive, and oxidizing properties, originated at
the Bound Brook, New Jersey plant of the Union Carbide Corporation.
Although Union Carbide had contracted with a private hauler to dispose
of the wastes at a landfill, the drums were instead dumped on the
abandoned farm site.
The drums were dumped between August and December of 1971. In
early 1974, evidence of contamination of local wells appeared. The
incident has resulted in the permanent loss of 148 private supply
wells, and contamination of an unknown portion of the Cohansey
Aquifer. While no public health problems appeared to result from this
incident, the possibility of chronic health effects could not be
evaluated.
Direct costs of this incident total over $400,000. These costs
include the cost of removal of drums, sampling and analysis, and
drilling of new wells.
Indirect costs, such as the cost to residents in inconvenience
and devaluation of property, the time spent by Federal, State and
local authorities in dealing with the problem, and possible future
spread of the contaminated zone, have not been calculated.
Drums and contaminated soil were excavated and hauled away for
disposal.
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Threat to State Groundwater from Industrial Disposal Facility
An industrial landfill operated in South Brunswick, New Jersey
has been linked to groundwater contamination problems. A number of
residential wells adjacent to the facility have been contaminated, at
least one of which has significant levels of chloroform, toluene,
xylene, trichloroethane and trichloroethylene. Toxic substances may
be moving toward the Foresgate Water Company which supplies water for
Monroe Township. Although no immediate health effects have been
reported yet, these substances render the water unsuitable for
drinking. The cost of extending the municipal water line to affect
six residences has been estimated at $300,000.
After an extensive investigation by the State Department of
Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
the J.I.S. Industrial Service Company was cited as the source of the
underground pollution. In 1975, the state ordered the facility to
stop accepting petroleum products, hazardous substances and all other
liquid and solid wastes. It also ordered J.I.S. to submit plans for
the removal of previously disposed material and/or the containment of
leachate.
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Jackson Township. New Jersey
The nunicipal landfill was licensed by NJDEP in 1972 to accept
sewage sludge and septic tank wastes. However, chemical dumping
allegations have been confirmed by chemical analysis of underlying
groundwater. The landfill was recently closed to all wastes.
The landfill abuts the Ridgeway Branch of Toms River, and overlies
the Cohansey Aquifer, the sole source of drinking water for the
surrounding residential community. The soil is composed of porous
sands and no natural or manmade liners exist. Over 100 residences used
private water wells within 1.5 miles of the site. Water is now trucked
to the community.
Approximately 100 drinking water wells surrounding the landfill
have been closed because of organic chemical contamination. Analysis
of water samples has shown the presence of chloroform, methylene
chloride, benzene, toluene, trichloroethylene, ethylbenzene and
acetone. Residents claim that premature deaths, kidney malfunctions,
kidney removals, recurrent rashes, infections and other health related
problems are due to the contamination of their water supplies by the
landfill. Although use of the water wells has been banned, residents
are still using well water for bathing, dishwashing and irrigation
because no other dependable source of water exists.
The State is taking legal action against the Township. Recently,
the landfill was closed. Residents were drinking the well water until
November 1978 and had been bathing with the water until January 1980.
A $1.2 million water system is planned for the affected residents.
However, the Township anticipates the 100 residents will repay the
state low interest loan. No actions are being taken to restore
groundwater quality.
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Spilled Wastes Damage the Kernersville, North Carolina/ Reservoir
On the night of June 3, 1977, unknown persons entered the
Destructo Chemway Corporation property and opened the valves of six
large storage tanks, spilling approximately 30,000 gallons of wastes
onto the ground. Chemway Destructo operates an incinerator at the
site, receving liquid wastes from such companies as Allied Chemical
and Proctor Chemical. The company did not have a Spill Prevention,
Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan as required by law, and the
chemical wastes very quickly drained f ran the site to a small stream
1/4 mile away. From there the chemicals moved into the Kernersville
Reservoir, located 1 1/2 miles fron the site.
A local resident noted the unusual odor from the spill and called
the police, who subsequently activated the North Carolina Department
of Natural and Economic Resources, the National Guard and Civil
Defense agencies. Approximately 1,000 people were evacuated fron the
immediate area of the spill.
Dead fish were observed floating on the 22-acre reservoir, which
served as the primary water supply for Kernerville. Analysis of the
water showed the presence of fuel oil toluene, allylether, xylene,
dichloroethane, and trichloroethane, prompting the State Department of
Health to declare it unsuitable for drinking, fortunately, a smaller
reservoir was available to serve as a backup water supply, although
some curtailments of water use were necessary until Kernersville was
able to obtain supplies fron adjacent towns.
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Total impacts of the incident are difficult to assess. Almost
one-third of the chemicals were eventually recovered for incineration.
Another 32,000 cubic feet of contaminated soils were removed and
landfilled at Destructo Chemway. In the cleanup process three men
were hospitalized for corneal ulcers from exposures to the chemical
fumes. Approximately 90% of the fish in the reservoir were killed.
The city decided to abandon the use of the reservoir for drinking
water. Construction costs for a larger water main to neighboring
supplies were two million dollars. Textile mills in the area had to
pay for tanker delivery of water and for process modifications to
conserve water. layoffs and cutbacks in working hours also resulted
from the water shortages. Nb known health effect from exposure to the
chemical fumes were observed among the local residents.
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Waste Industries, Inc./ New Hanover County, 1980
The Flemington landfill a now inactive site, is a 70 acre tract
in New Hanover County, North Carolina, which has accepted municipal as
well as industrial wastes from 1972 to 1979. The Flemington landfill
is located in close proximity to at least thirty-three residential
wells and ten comnercial wells and overlies an aquifer which serves
these wells. Hie land in the vicinity of the site is composed of a
variety of porous sands through which water and contaminants can
easily pass.
Waste material disposed of at the Flemington landfill has leached
into the groundwater underlying the site and has contaminated the
aquifer to such an extent that the water in the domestic wells of
several households has been rendered hazardous for human consumption
and other uses. The groundwater passing beneath the site may
eventually contaminate the waters of the Cape New Fear and Northeast
Cape New Fear Rivers, which are within one mile of the landfill.
The following chemicals have been detected in the residential
wells at levels sufficient to affect adversely human health and the
environment: tetrachloroethylene, benzene, vinyl chloride,
trichloroethylene and 1,2 - dichloroethane, all carcinogens, as well
as methylene chloride and lead. In addition, the presence of
chlorides, dichlorophenol, chlorobenzene, iron, manganese, phenol and
zinc, have rendered the water unfit for human consumption due to
extreme bad taste or odor.
The EPA has spent $25,000 in ascertaining the nature and extent
of the groundwater contamination and has filed a complaint in U.S.
District Court in order to affect remedial measures.
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Suntnit National Liquid Services/ Portage County, Ohio, 1980
A liquid industrial waste treatment and disposal company is
located on an 11 acre site in Portage County, Ohio and has been in
operation since 1973. The site is within 200 feet of residential
areas and rain water runoff carries chemicals and oils fron the site
to a tributary of the Berlin Reservoir which is used to augment a
public water supply for the Mahoning Valley. Currently, several
thousand leaking barrels, a 300,000-gallon cracked and leaking
concrete storage tank, and other vessels of varying sizes are being
used to store wastes including acetone, MEK, toluene, latex, oils,
hexachlorocyclopentadiene and mirex.
The site presents a fire hazard from the improperly stored
barrels as well as a source of soil and groundwater contamination.
Also present is the possible contamination of the drinking water in
the reservoir.
The site has been closed since 1978 by orders of the Ohio EPA and
is currently being cleaned. The cost estimated for transportation and
disposal of the present inventory of wastes is $360,000 and does not
include funds for analysis, special handling, excavation or
reclamation. In addition, mitigating measures taken to secure the
site are estimated to cost $1,762,000. These costs are currently
being paid by the State of Ohio.
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Chemicals and Mineral Reclamation/ Inc. Cleveland, Ohio/ 1980
Chemicals and Minerals Reclamation, Inc. occupies about 8.4 acres
in downtown Cleveland, Ohio near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River and
is engaged in treating and storing solid and hazardous wastes.
Approximately 4,000 55-gallon drums containing hazardous wastes are
stored in an old weatherbeaten warehouse with an additional 2,000
drums nearby.
Numerous inspections of the property since March of 1979 by the
U.S. EPA, the Cuyahoga County Health Department and the Ohio EPA have
found many violations of the Municipal Code, strong chemical odors,
puddles of spill residue, hardened material in the aisles between the
drums, and leaking drums. The labels on the drums and samples of
materials in the drums identified the following chemicals: acetic
acid, acetone, antimony oxides, asphalt, butyl acetate, butyl alcohol,
chromic acid, heptane, lubricating oils, methyl alcohol, methylene
chloride, methyl ethyl keytone, paint and miscellaneous solvents,
perchloroethylene, resin/rubber solvent, toluene,
1,1,1-trichloroethane, xylene, zinc chloride, ethanol, ethyl acetate,
hexane, ethyl benzene, 3-methyl hexane, tetrachloroethylene,
trichloroethylene, 3-methylpentane, 2-methyl-l-pentene,
2-methylpentane, 2,4-dimethylpentane, 2-methylpropanol and 4-methyl-2-
pentanone.
Hie Chemicals and Mineral Reclamation facility is located only
1/2 mile from the downtown area where thousands of people could be
subjected to contaminated fumes if a fire were to occur.
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Chem-Dyne Corporation Hamilton, Ohio, 1980
The Chem-Dyne Corporation occupies approximately 4 acres in
downtown Hamilton, Ohio. It is bounded on one side by an impounded
stream which empties into the Great Miami River. On other sides are
the residential and business districts of the town, as well as several
recreation areas.
Thousands of 55-gallons damaged, rusty and leaking drums and
seven large tanks store over 1 1/2 million gallons of hazardous
chemical wastes on the site. Since 1976, the site has received
shipments of hazardous wastes where they have been transferred between
containers or mixed in open pits. Among the chemicals which have been
identified as being stored, mixed or disposed of at the site include:
1-dichloroethane and benzene, both carcinogens, as well as phenol,
acetone, xylene, toluene, hexane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane,
dichlorobenzene, napthalene, cyanides and arsenic.
The site presents an imminent fire hazard fron the improper
storage of the flammable organic materials. Runoff has shown the
presence of toxic chemicals which have leached into the soil and
possibly to the groundwater. In addition to foul odors from the site
there have been instances of periodic sickness of nearby workers and
occasionally of people using the nearby recreation facilities.
The site is currently in litigation but the assets of the
corporation may not cover the clean-up costs. The State of Ohio or
the United States may have to furnish the necessary funds.
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Disposal of Hazardous Wastes Results in
Potential Health Hazard at a Public Park
Neville Island, Pennsylvania
The Ohio River Park site was closed indefinitely in the spring of
1979 when public health officials expressed concern that there may be
public health dangers from wastes buried at the site nearly thirty
years ago. The essentially completed park, located on the western tip
of Neville Island, Pennsylvania, was donated to Allegheny Cbunty in
1976 by the Hillman Company via its foundation. The company is the
parent for the now defunct Pittsburgh Obke and Chemical Company. Of
the $3.3 million originally appropriated for site development,
approximately $1.8 million has been spent; equal sums having been
obtained from the County and the U.S. Department of the Interior. An
additional $1.5 million was allocated for a pleasure boat marina.
Pour acres of the site were reportedly, used as a municipal
garbage dump from 1935 to 1945. In the early 1950's large quantities
of miscellaneous industrial wastes were deposited extensively. It is
not clear exactly which companies, both on and off the island used the
Pittsburgh Coke and Chemical property as a waste disposal site.
However, due to the nature of their product, two chemical companies,
Pittsburgh Coke and Chemical and the Neville Chemical Company had the
most difficult problems with waste disposal.
During park development, workers complained of noxious fumes
emanating from certain areas of the park. An outside consulting firm
was hired to conduct a field investigation. Among the chemicals
uncovered at the park were benezene, phenols, cyanide, mercury, coal
tar residues, and parathion. Workers who built the Chio River Park
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reported an unusually high rate of health problems ranging from eye
irritation to blood in the urine. In a preliminary study conducted by
the Allegheny County Health Department, twenty-six percent of the
respondents cited health problems while working at the park.
A recently completed study of remedial alternatives estimated
that continued park closure with monitoring would cost $150,000 to
$250,000. Development of a limited park along the relatively clean
eastern section of the property would cost $300,000 to $430,000.
Removal of contaminated wastes in order to rebuild the park as
originally conceived is estimated to cost seven to twenty-four million
dollars.
34
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ABM Wade, Pennsylvania
In Chester, Pennsylvania, a chemical fire resulting in the
hospitalization of firemen overcome by toxic fumes, brought another
incident of hazardous waste management into the limelight. The fire
occurred at the Wade Disposal Site, a three acre plot of land situated
along the Delaware River in southeastern Pennsylvania. This site had
received approximately 300 drums per week during its three years of
operation, a total of nearly 15,000 barrels. Examination of the site
revealed that only 1,000 of the 4,500 visible barrels appear to remain
unruptured. The remaining 3,500 are broken and crushed with their
contents spilled from their original containers. Drums found en-site
carried the labels of numerous chemical companies including Dupont,
Monsanto, Dow, Rohm and Haas, Jorden Chemical and Wentz Chemical.
Tank trailer disposal operations were also carried on at the site
by the ABM company. Documented evidence indicates that trailer
tahklcads of liquids could have been drained on the property via a
street drain and a concrete sump, 250 feet from the Delaware River.
Presently, seven tankers, some of which may be full of hazardous
liquids, still remain on the site. A State Department of
Environmental Resources sampling program revealed concentrations of
heavy metals which substantially exceeded drinking water standards —
chromium, copper, nickel and lead. In addition, numerous volatile
organics were detected at the Wade-ABM site including methacrylic
acid, which is lethal at a five percent vapor concentration with a
thirty minute exposure. A variety of aromatic hydrocarbons were also
identified that are frequently skin, eye and respiratory irritants
35
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with short-term exposure. Over the long-term, these toxics cause
central nervous system depression, and depending on the compound
hepatic, renal and bone marrow disorders. They have also been
recognized as known and suspected carcinogens.
Minimum required costs to clean up the Wade Site were estimated
at 1.25 million dollars. This total would include $650,000 for
disposal of material located above the natural grade and $600,000 for
disposal of "hot spots," areas deemed highly contaminated with
hazardous wastes, as well as contaminated soils below grade. Further-
more, additional cleanup activities also may need to be undertaken.
Remedial measures are being taken to prevent further runoff or
discharge frcm the site.
36
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Hardanan County, Tennessee
Velsiool Chemical Corporation of Memphis, Tennessee is the owner
of approximately 242 acres in Hardeman County near the Town of Toone,
Tennessee. Between 1964 and 1972, the Company trucked about 300,000
55-gallons drums of their waste material fron a pesticide plant in
Memphis to the site for disposal. The company's waste residue
including endrin, dieldrin, aldrin, and other pesticides, were buried
in unlined trenches over about 50 acres of the property.
The USGS has been investigating the area since 1966, due to
questions raised about the threat posed to groundwater supplies. A
1967 report already noted pollution of a nearby stream and the shallow
water zone. At that time, no local domestic well was contaminated.
However, subsequent to the 1967 report, the dump was enlarged to twice
its original size, from approximately 20 acres to 45 acres.
A current study by the USGS indicates more extensive problems in
the site area. As predicted, the water-table aquifer has also become
polluted and contaminants have reached the wells of nearby residents.
Some of the organic compounds are estimated to be migrating at a
minimum rate of 80 feet per year in the water table zone. Rough cost
estimates to handle the contamination problems include about $120,000
for the establishment of a water supply system from Toone to nearby
homes, and $741,000 to set up and operate a monitoring program. Other
estimated clean-up costs range from to $6 million to over $165
million, depending upon the extent and methods of the operation. A
class action suit by local citizens for $2.5 billion has been filed
against Velsicol.
37
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Contamination of Surface Water Via an
Processing Plant in Saltville. Virginia
From 1895 until 1972, an alkali processing plant was operated on
the banks of the North Fork of the Holston River in Saltville,
Virginia. The facility produced a variety of alkali products,
including hydrazine, dry ice, soda ash, bicarbonates, fused ash, lime
soda caustic, chlorine, electrolytic caustic, anhydrous caustic, and
liquid carbon dioxide. At the same time, waste disposal from the
various processes was via a series of lagoons, with effluent
discharged directly to the North Fork. The plant currently owned by
the Olin Corporation, has been shut down since 1972, apparently due to
a variety of economic reasons.
Total dissolved solid concentrations in the river have frequently
exceeded the 500 mg/1 stream standard, and chloride concentrations are
also high. The primary concern, however, is the levels of mercury
found in the North Fork of the Holston from the site of the old
chlorine plant. Three fourths of the fish samples taken in July 1976,
at six stations along the nearly seventy miles of river showed
concentrations at least twice as high as the FDA action level. This
is evidence that the contamination extends down the river to the TVA
Cherokee Reservoir one-hundred miles from Saltville, Virginia.
Tennessee Health Department officials imposed a ban on fishing in the
North Fork of the Holston in 1970. To date, no mercury related
illnesses have been reported. Mercury continues to enter the Holston
both from the site of the old chlorine plant and from the two of six
big "muck ponds" which were used for disposal of the primary waste
stream from the Olin complex. The grounds in which the "cell
38
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building" once stood contain, according to an Olin consultant,
some 220,000 Ibs. of mercury.
Several corrective actions have already been taken, including
grading and construction of erosion control structures, along North
Fork bank at a cost of $40,000. The State of Virginia, EPA, TVA, Oak
Ridge National Laboratory and Ohio participate in a task force to
monitor progess of cleanup. A rough estimate of ultimate upgrading
costs range from over $4 million to greater than $23 million. The
lower estimate would involve measures to minimize surface and
groundwater intrusion through the pond and chlorine plant site, and
remove significant portions of mercury from the river system. The
higher estimate would remove mercury wastes from the chlorine plant
site and larger quantities of mercury from the river system.
39
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SECTION 2
ABSTRACTS DESCRIBING DAMAGES AND THREATS
POSED BY HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SITES
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ALABAMA
Warrior River, Alabama
In 1972 more than one million bluegill fish
were killed as the result of the dumping of a
pesticide into the Warrior River in Alabama.
A private contractor was believed responsible
for the Inc i dent.
fish kiI I
pestic ide
Alabama, 1970
In 1970, 51,000 acres of waters were closed
due to mercury contamination, including the
Pickwick Reservoir and impounded tributaries
of the Tennessee River, the Tombigbee River
(between Jackson Lock and Dam and the Mobile
River), the Mobile River, and the Tensaw River
system. Sport fishermen also were warned not to
eat fish from these waters. Restrictions continued
until May 1975. Several Industrial sources were
believed responsible for dumping the substance
into the State's waters, including the 01 in Corp.
and the Geigy Chemical Corp.
mercury, fish,
surface waters
42
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Anniston, Alabama, Kelvar Waste Site
In 1973 Southern Metal Processing acids, heavy metals
Company contracted with DuPont's Richmond, surface water,
Virginia plant for removal of wastes human health
containing acids and heavy metals.
Over the following year approximately
10,000 drums were accumulated. In
1976 the stored containers were found
to be leaking, and polluting surface waters.
In 1976 a fire at the site injured two firemen.
DuPont assumed responsibility for the
site and removed the drums at a cost of
$650,000. The acid saturated soils
were treated with lime and graded. EPA
Region IV has requested that the State
of Alabama assume responsibility for
monitoring the site.
Decatur, Alabama
In 1954, approximately 200,000
pounds of coal tar was spilled or dumped
into a barge unloading area connecting
to the Tennessee River. The bulk of the
material is still on the river bottom.
The coal tar occasionally causes an oil
sheen. In 1977 and 1978, EPA sampled
and analyzed water and river sediment.
coal tar, creosite
surface water
43
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Decatur, Alabama
Fly ash was hauled by private
transporter to the Johnson Landfill
near Trinity, Alabama for disposal.
The fly ash was used on one of the
roads leading through a rural area to
the landfill. Several tons of this
material was piled beside the road.
Analysis showed levels of cadmium and
chromium in the fly ash. Similar
metals have been found in a local
residential (groundwater) well and
monitoring is continuing. The
company is under order by the State
to remedy the situation.
cadmium, chromium
drinking water wells
Decatur, Alabama
Sludge from a company's waste-
water treatment facility has been
disposed by surface application on
a tract of property just south of
the plant. EPA analysis of samples
of a well located on plant property
showed organic contamination. The
organics
drinking water wells
44
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well supplies drinking water to the
resident of a house owned and leased
to the occupant by the company. Due
to concern over contamination of the
groundwater, the company will not
renew the leases on seven homes in
the vicinity of the contaminated well.
Additional sampling has been done and
the company, State and EPA officials
are working to locate the source of
contamination.
Blount County, Alabama
Numerous dump sites (five visited
by EPA) exist in an abandoned strip
mining area. Wastes consists of oily
sludge containing heavy metals dumped
by unknown persons. State solid
waste agency thinks waste is coming
from Birmingham industrial area.
State is investigating.
oily sludge,
heavy metals
45
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Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
Large quantities of PCB's and DDT
mixed with soil have been detected near
the old Olin Chemical plant at Redstone
Arsenal which was shutdown in 1971.
Storm water runoff has carried DDT to
the Tennessee River where it remains in
the sediment and water. Levels up to
MOO parts per million of DDT have been
detected in fish. Several federal
agencies are developing a remedial plan
which may include removal of the DDT
contaminated soil for burial in a secure
chemical waste landfill. Monitoring wells
to insure groundwater protection may be
installed around the disposal site.
Public water supplies in the area have been
tested and do not show DDT contamination.
PCB's, DDT
surface water, soil
Blount County, Alabama
Waste oil pits have been found in
an abandoned strip mining area. The
oily sludge contains heavy metals. The
source of the waste oil is unknown.
waste oil,
heavy metals
46
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Alaska
Red Devil Mine, Alaska
Mercury contamination from mercury
mine tailings ponds may be entering Red
Devil Creek which is a tributary to the
Kuskokwim River. Studies in other areas
have shown that, over time, elemental
mercury is converted to the highly toxic
methyl mercury by bacteria. Methyl
mercury then bio-accumulates in aquatic
life, rendering fish unfit for
consumption. The Kuskokwim River is an
important food source to the local
population. EPA is currently evaluating
data.
mercury
surface water
47
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ARIZONA
Globe, Arizona, 1980
There are four abandoned asbestos
mills which are full of asbestos dust,
and should be dismantled. These are not
closed, and are easily accessible by
children. In addition, on the site of
one closed mill, the tailings were
leveled, and the area subdivided. There
are 25 families living in this area,
with high exposure to asbestos dust.
The state is currently handling the
problem. Cleanup of the site is in
process and the state is satisfied
with the progress being made. Cleanup
include covering subdivision lots with
clean fill and seeding to lessen the
asbestos exposure. Estimates for
clean up costs are in the range of
from $1 to $5 million. The latter
figure would include purchase of the
25 homes in the area.
asbestos
air & soil
Phoenix, Arizona, 1980
A series of old sand and gravel
pits have been used as municipal dumps.
At least one was used for disposal of
hazardous wastes. The dumps are operated
heavy metals
groundwater
48
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by the City. When it rains, the pits are
almost filled with water, connecting
with groundwater which is the
Phoenix drinking water supply. The
city and EPA are currently monitoring
to determine the path of leachate,
and the amount of contamination. So
far mostly heavy metals have been
found, in high concentrations. EPA
is also assisting in finding a new
site for municipal wastes. Hazardous
wastes which previously went to the
19th Street site, (now closed) are
being transported, with manifests,
to a temporary disposal site.
The manifests should give an
idea of the types of wastes that
formerly went into the 19th Street
site. There are some drinking water
wells about one mile from the site.
49
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Phoenix, Arizona, 1980
A fabricating factory discharged groundwater
potentially hazardous materials into
percolating ponds. The ponds were breached
by floods last year. There are seven
drinking and irrigation wells within one
mile of the ponds. It is believed the
ponds are highly permeable and that the
material is migrating into the ground-
water. No cost estimates are available
on damages at this time.
50
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ARKANSAS
Jacksonville, Arkansas
Since 1948, a facility new owned by
Vertac manufactured chlorophenoxy herbicides
including 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T. Chemical wastes,
such as dioxin and chlorinated hydrocarbon
pesticides, are buried at several locations.
Traces of dioxin were discovered in the
sediment of a nearby creek and a downstream
bayou; both of which have been quarantined
by the state health department. Soil con-
tamination has been documented. The cost to
cleanup the site may exceed $4 million.
dioxin,
pesticides
surface water,
air pollution
West Memphis, Arkansas
The Gurley Oil Company operated pits for
disposal of oily sludges for a waste oil
recycling operation. The 3.5 acre site is
now abandoned and subject to flooding.
Oil releases have been controlled by
pumping after each rain. Estimated cleanup
is expected to be between $700,000 and
$1,000,000. The sludges contain PCB's,
cadmium, chromium, lead and zinc.
PCB's, heavy metal
surface water
51
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Newport, Arkansas
The Lambert Seed Company maintained seven
large evaporation ponds in which dilute surfuric
acid was held. In 1976 Newport Air Force Base
reported increases in the sulfate levels of their
drinking well waters. It was established that the
Air Base derived 25% of their drinking waters from
the aquifer underlying the ponds. A program to pump
the contaminated water from the aquifer by the use
of three interceptor wells has resulted in the decline
in sulfate levels of the Air Base's drinking water.
Leaking ponds were identified and have been replaced
with PVC-lined ponds.
sulfuric acid
drinking water
52
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Fort Smith, Arkansas
The Industrial waste control site was
closed in 1978. The site had accepted up
to 22,000 cubic yards of oils, plating waste
and organics. Surface seepage has occurred
to a neighboring property. The site is now
being assessed for remedial and cleanup actions.
Magnolia, Arkansas
The Arkansas Pollution Control and
Ecology Dept. named the Dow Chemical Co.
site in Magnolia as one of the 10 worst
pollution problems in Arkansas. A pond
containing spent brine is leaking and the
Dept. is concerned about possible water
and land pollution.
oils, plating wastes,
organics
land
fluorides
surface water
53
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CALIFORNIA
San Joaquin Valley, California, 1979
An ongoing sampling study which was
Initiated In June, 1979 by the California
Department of Health Services and County
health departments throughout the San
Joaquin Valley is finding widespread
contamination of water supplies with
high levels of DBCP. To date, in the
San Joaquin Valley, approximately 29 wells
on large municipal systems (greater than
200 hook-ups) have been found to have
DBCP levels in excess of 1.0 ppb, with
an additional 150 wells having levels
exceeding 0.05 ppb.
DBCP
drinking water wells
Lathrop, California, 1980
In the vicinity of Lathrop, Ca.,
one well of the Lathrop County Water
District System has been shut down
due to DBCP contamination. Water is
currently being supplied to affected
municipal customers from the clean
wells in the county's system. The
Federal Government and the State of
California filed a suit against
DBCP
drinking water wells
54
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Occidental Chemical seeking injunctive
relief and civil penalties. No federal
state or local monies are known to have
been spent to provide for the alternative
water supply. The present estimate for
clean up costs is as much as $15 million.
Rancho Cordova, California,1979
The Aerojet General Corporation along
with Cordova Chemical Company, a subsidiary,
occupies 8,000 acres south of the American
River, a tributary of the Sacramento River.
The Aerojet company discharged waste streams
directly into an open pit. Sulfates, pesticides
and heavy metals from Cordova Chemical have been
found in an old dredge pit as well as in the
groundwater to the pit, where these chemicals
were dumped over a 2-year period. TCE, other
organic solvents, and perchlorate from Aerojet
has also been found off-site. Out of approximately
50 private wells sampled within a half male of
Aerojet's property line, about 25-30 have been found
to have some level of contamination from organic solvents.
Also, there are several unlined surface percolation
ponds and defective lined ponds receiving wastes from
Aerojet and Cordova Chemical. The State of California
has brought suit against these companies seeking remedial
actions. 55
TCE, pesticides
heavy metals
drinking water wells
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San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, 1980
In this area, 56 municipal wells within
18 water supply systems have been shut down TCE
to date due to excessive levels of TCE drinking water wells
contamination. The immediate effect has
been the reduction in the number of available
clean wells in the area, however, all users
are being supplied with water from clean wells
within each system. State and county agencies have
begun an investigation to define the full extent of
the problem and to determine the source of the
pollution. No federal or state money has been spent
to provide alternative water supplies. No estimate for
cost of correction is available at this time.
Riverside County, California
The Stringfellow class I Disposal Site
landfill contains a wide variety of industrial Organics, adds
wastes (primarily spent acids, caustics), ground and surface
totaling approximately 32,000,000 gallons waters
in 19 years. Contamination of groundwater
has occurred from leachate and surface run-off.
The State Legislature in 1978 appropriated $370,000
for the closure and maintenance of the site by the
Santa Anna Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Final closure is estimated to total $1-2.5 million.
A total of $290,000 was spent from CWA 311 funds.
56
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Visalia, California
A coal tar waste tank cracked and
leaked for four to five years, contaminating
soil and groundwater in the vicinity of the
spill with pentachlorophenol. Apparently
the contamination is confined. Southern
California Edison, which assumed all
responsibility for the spill, has paid
$2,000,000 for cleanup.
organics
land & groundwater
Cabazon Dump (Murietta), 1972
Instead of properly disposing of some
drums containing unidentified residues, a
disposal company dropped them at a dump
located in Cabazon. A heavy rain unearthed
the drums, which gave off poisonous gases
and contaminated the water.
toxic substances
air & surface water
Mather Air Force Base, 1979
Officials at Mather Air Force Base
disconnected a well after discovering
traces of TCE, a chemical solvent suspected
of causing cancer in humans. Five tests over
30 days had found between 16.5 and 30.2 parts
per billion of TCE in the wells, which was used
by about 75 employees.
TCE
drinking water wells
57
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McLellan Air Force Base, 1980
Several wells on base and off base TCE, organics
are contaminated with TCE and other drinking water wells
organics. Some of the wells have
been shut down. The problem may be
from old industrial sludge pits.
Fullerton, California
This is an eight-acre site that
was used for dumping an estimated 50,000
tons of World-War II era chemical wastes sulfuric acid sludge
(priminarly sulfuric acid and heavy metals). heavy metals
The area is bounded by residential neighborhoods
to the south and east, a golf course to the west,
and by land zoned for residential development to
the north. The wastes are seeping to the surface
near homes and near the edge of the golf course.
State agencies are working with the current owners
of the land to develop a clean-up plan.
58
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Barstow, California
Ground-water contamination extends down-
gradient 4 miles from the source. A well field
is threatened. Complaints of well contamination
began in 1952. Several wells were abandoned.
Previous investigations traced the contamination to
local municipal and industrial waste disposal. A
study initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey to
evaluate the groundwater degradation in this area
found ground water degraded by (1) natural ground-
water inflow, (2) industrial and municipal waste
disposal from several sources, and (3) irrigation-
return water. Data suggest two plumes of contamination,
an old plume near the base of the aquifer and a shallow
plume produced by more recent contamination. No remedial
action was reported.
leachate
groundwater
59
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COLORADO
Commerce City, Colorado, 1980
The present owner of the site, formerly the
site of the Woodbury Chemical Company, is the
Rock Island Railroad, which is in receivership.
Woodbury Chemical Company is defunct. The
company formulated pesticides on the property.
In the late 1960's a major fire occurred on
the property contaminating the area with
high levels of organo-chloride and organo-
phosphate pesticides. Data indicates that
the ground surface, over eleven years after
the fire, still is highly contaminated.
Even the relatively degradable organo-phosphate
pesticides are present in significant amounts.
Unconfirmed reports state that fire ruble in
places may be buried to depths of 15 feet.
Surface drainage of rain water has been analyzed
and found to contain a number of pesticides.
No data on ground water are available. On warm
days there is a pesticide odor on the site.
pesticides
soil,
surface
water
60
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Jefferson County, Colorado, 1980
The Aerr Company stores, treats and disposes of
chemical wastes. After a fire at the site firefighters
will not return to the site because of the hazards cyanide, chemicals
present. There is a probable hazard to workers on the human health
site. Also present is the problem of runoff onto
neighboring lands.
drinking water
Boulder, Colorado, 1980
The Marshall landfill has two sections; one has
been closed since 1965, and the other is still active. toxic chemicals
Many types of wastes were accepted, including
industrial liquid wastes, and perhaps hazardous wastes,
including PCB's. The problem which exists is that
leachate from the landfill flows into the Community
Ditch which is sometimes used as a potable water
supply for the town of Louisville. Also, there may
be bontamination of the aquifer under the landfill.
61
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Lafayette, Colorado
Seventeen barrels of pure PCB's were
discovered to have been stored on a local
farm for 10 years. A state epldemologlst
recommended that a woman resident temporarily
stop nursing her one year old son after hazardous
levels of PCB's were discovered 1n her breast milk;
soil in the vicinity of the barrels was also
contaminated. The affected family has since relocated.
The PCB has been recontainerized and moved to a
secure storage area. The ground contamination still
exists.
PCB's
Soils, human health
L.C. Corporation, Denver, Colorado, 1979
Facility disposed of acid wastes by placing
them in plastic lined storage pits near Sand Creek.
Acids were partially neutralized, but storage pits
are still highly acidic. The potential problem of
toxic or hazardous materials leaking from the pits
into Sand Creek exists. As the result of a settle-
ment, clean up is taking place under supervision by
a State court. The company 1s paying for the clean up.
acid, toxic material
surface water
62
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65th and Huron (BFI, Inc.)» Colorado
Methane gas from an active 90 acre landfill
site in central Adams County exploded and destroyed
a home in January 1980. Subsequent investigations
revealed the site contained 3.4 million yards of
domestic refuse and 30-40% explosive gas by volume.
Lateral migration off-site was found at the south-
central portions of the site. Two houses, including
the one where the explosion occurred, were found to
harbor heavy methane gas concentrations inside and
adjacent to the structures. Following the accident,
both homes were vacated and a power extraction and
control system are now being installed.
methane gas
explosion
Denver, Colorado, 1943-1975
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal was established in 1943
for the production of chemical warfare agents. In the pesticides
late 1950's Shell Chemical Company leased most of the ground water
industrial facilities for the production of insecticides:
from 1943 to 1957 unlined canals conveyed liquid chemical
wastes to unlined holding ponds for storage; waste liquids
moved directly into the ground water. Severe contamination
of the aquifer resulted in widespread well contamination.
In 1975 the State Department of Health issued a cease and
desist order against the Army and Shell Chemical to stop
polluting surface and underground water in the area.
63
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Lowry Landfill - Denver, Colorado
This landfill receives a major portion of the
industrial wastes in the Denver metropolitan Area.
There is data that indicates groundwater contamination.
The landfill is not operated consistent with good
practice. Municipal sludge is spread at rates well
above the recommended levels. Governor Lamm has
expressed concern over the facility and has appointed
a study commission to investigate and present
recommendation. EPA Region VIII is in the process of
documenting conditions at the facility.
industrial
wastes
groundwater
48th and Holly (Landfill, Inc.), Colorado
Two separate methane gas explosions at a 100
acre landfill in southern Adams County in June 1977
killed two utility workers and injured four fireman.
A lawsuit was filed shortly after the accident, and
a preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 1980.
The site was landfilled with an estimated 7,000,000
cubic yards of domestic refuse during the late 1960s
and early 1970s. Current methane testing today indicates
that the landfill contains 40-50% methane gas with
extensive >ateral migration of the gas off-site, both
in a northerly and southerly direction up to 700 feet.
Current tests show that several buildings adjacent to the
site still contain methane gas in concentrations up to 35%.
Site monitoring is underway and safety precautions have
been observed.
methane gas
explosion
death/injury
64
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CONNECTICUT
Ledyard, Connecticut
Six private wells became contaminated with styrene
styrene -- an aromatic hydrocarbon -- In 1962. private wells
An Investigation revealed that styrene had been used
to burn brush In clearing land for the housing
development at which the wells became contaminated.
Barrels partially filled with styrene had been burled
at two different locations. The affected wells
were within about 300 feet of the barrels.
All known contaminating materials was removed
from the ground. Activated charcoal filters
were Installed In the wells In 1962.
Concentrations of styrene fluctuated seasonally
and In response to precipitation. By 1964, no
styrene was detected In any of the wells. New
production wells were supplied to affected homes.
Canterbury, Connecticut
A private landfill has accepted chemical waste
11,000 gallons of chemical wastes in
the past several years. No information
is currently available on contamination,
but it is being investigated for both
enforcement and 311 response.
65
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Southington, Connecticut, 1967-1980
The Solvents Recovery Service engages
in the distillation, recovery and disposal
of industrial solvents In Southington,
Connecticut. The handling, storage and
disposal of hazardous wastes by the
company has contaminated the groundwater
around Southington causing the closure of
three of the city's six wells. The
following chemicals were found in two of
the three wells at levels Which may affect
human health adversely:
tetrachloroethylene, chloroform,
trichloroethylene, 1,1,1,-trichloroethane,
dichloroethane and carbon tetrachloride.
In addition, during the early 1970 's tests
of soils and crops in the vicinity of the
site showed very high levels of lead,
reportedly from open burning of wastes at
the site. EPA. filed suit under RCRA in
December, 1979 and is developing
groundwater hydrogeological information as
a basis for the case.
solvents, lead
drinking water wells,
air pollution
66
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Plain-field, Connecticut, 1978
State police discovered 1700 barrels of
chemical wastes illegally buried in two PI ainfield
gravel pits. Groundwater contamination was
detected but there are no wells in the area. The
owner of the site was fined $25,000 and is paying
for site cleanup, estimated at $750,000.
chemical wastes
groundwater
Plainville, Connecticut
In July 1975, local officials discovered that
one of the Plainville water company water supply
wells was contaminated with industrial solvents,
including trichloroethylene, chloroform and carbon
tetrachloride. The Mott Metallurgical Co. in
Farmington has been identified as the probable
source of the solvents. Mott had previously
disposed of its wastes in an underground dry well
about 100 yards from the water supply well. The
Mott Co. has since changed its disposal practices
and the Plainville Water Company has discontinued
use of the well.
solvents
drinking water wells
67
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Sharon, Connecticut
The Brookfield Chemical Company
discharged various chemical wastes from
its opertions into a dry well and septic
tank on their property. By 1972,
chemicals, including ethylene glycol,
chloroform, benzene, and toluene
leaked into the gound water and have
been detected in residential and
commercial wells in the area.
organics
drinking water wells
East Haddam, Connecticut
State Department of Health lab
reports showed that two of six wells
near Pioneer Products, Inc., had been
contaminated with hydrocarbons. Pioneer
had discharged untreated chemical waste
for more than a year. In June 1979,
State officials ordered Pioneer to
cease its discharge, and to correct
contamination that the discharge had
caused.
organics
drinking water wells
68
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Bridgeport, Connecticut
The State of Connecticut hired Chem-Trol
Pollution Services to remove 3,000-5,000 drums of
chemicals from a boarded up warehouse owned by
Chemical Waste Removal. The drums were discovered
by the State police organized crime unit during a
raid at the site. The cost of removal should
total $250,000.
toxic chemicals
Canton, Connecticut
It was reported that solvent-type chemicals,
including carbon tetrachloride, methyl ethyl
ketone, trichloroethylene and chloroform, dumped
by the former John Swift Chemical Co. between 1969
and 1972 have been found in eleven Canton wells.
The estimated costs of extending water lines from
nearby communities range from $145,000-$379,000.
The State of Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection has ordered the dump
site's current owners, Auto World Realty, to clean
up the site.
solvents
drinking water wells
69
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Torrington, Connecticut, 1979
Construction workers building a new
shopping center uncovered a major asbestos
dumping ground on the site formerly occupied
by the Fitzgerald Gasket Company. Unprotected
workers had been exposed to asbestos dust.
The Company has remedied the problem,
construction of the shopping center has
resumed.
asbestos
air
Wblcott, Connecticut, 1974
Several domestic and industrial wells
were found to be polluted with hydrocarbons
and mixed solvents. A State investigator
discovered that a local service station dumped
or spilled gasoline into floor drains, which
may have been connected to wells; workers at a
local tool company were also found to be
dumping solvents and oils onto the ground in
back of a shop.
organics
groundwater
Bristol, Connecticut, 1980
A trucking company and middleman disposal
firm are reported to be responsible for the
disposal of 30,000-90,000 barrells at the
Bristol landfill. Groundwater has been found
to be contaminated with hydrocarbons. The
hydrocarbons
groundwater
70
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State has issued an order to the city to
develop a groundwater monitoring system. EPA
has begin preliminary investigation to
determine whether Federal enforcement vs.
haulers or generators is appropriate. There
are no water supply wells in the aquifier.
71
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DELAWARE
Wilmington, Delaware
Rainwater and groundwater percolating
heavy metals, orgam
through the Llangollen Landfill produced a groundwater
leachate containing high concentrations of
iron, chlorides, ammonia, heavy metals
and dissolved organics. The leachate
migrated from the site and in some places
moved through a clay layer into the deeper
Potomac aquifer used extensively in New
Castle County for a water supply. The
County has installed wells to intercept
contaminated groundwater in order to
prevent contamination of the public water
supply wells at a cost of over $1 million.
72
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New Castle County, Delaware
A large zone of ground water was contaminated.
The ground water contamination was traced to the
Llangolen landfill some 88 feet away. The land-
fill, which operated between I960 and 1968, was
originally a dump and received various unknown
types of Industrial wastes. When the landfill was
operating, some of the clay beneath the site was
removed for cover material, permitting movement
of leachate to the underlying aquifer. About 100
wells or borings have been made to date to determine
the extent of ground water contamination. Wells
have been Installed near the landfill to reverse
the flow of ground water back toward the landfill,
and they are pumping about 3 million gallons per day.
Pumpage In both the water supply wells and the
wells of the plant has been cut back, and water Is
obtained from other sources. An Increase In the
number of wells to Intercept more leachate has
been considered. An estimated 10 years would be
necessary to renovate the aquifer adequately.
Removal of the landfill may be necessary. About
30 private wells in the contaminated area have
been replaced with a public water supply.
Ieachate
pub I ic water
supplies,
ground water
73
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FLORIDA
Fanning Bayou, Florida
On October 13, 1976, a large fish kill
occurred on the Fanning Bayou, Bay County,
Florida, after 35,000 gallons of wastewater
spilled from the McKenzie Tank Lines property.
The wastewater contained chemical contaminants
and tank washing solutions used in connection
with the facility's tank truck cleaning
operations. Officials reported unknown damage
to other aquatic life.
fish kill, surface wate)
chemical wastes
74
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Tofs, Florida
The Woodbury Chemical Co., a bankrupt
pesticide formulator, vacated its warehouse and
left behind hundreds of barrels of DDT, Sevin,
Malathion and Parathion. The company also left a
pallet of broken and corroded bottles of
concentrated parathion exposed on an outdoor
loading dock.
pesticide
abandoned warehouse
Whitehouse, Florida
Seven pits covering seven acres were filled
with waste oil sludge contaminated with PCB's and
abandoned in 1968. In 1976 the level of one of
the pits gave way and about 50,000 gallons of oily
material was released to McGirts Creek. The EPA
drained the liquids from the pits and covered the
pits using a plan developed by the City of
Jacksonville. The sludge covered in place was
highly acidic and contained high concentrations of
lead, zinc and copper. The material may need to
be transported to a proper disposal facility.
Other remedial actions are beind considered.
PCB's, lead, zinc,
copper
surface water
75
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North Miami Beach, Florida
A drinking water odor incident led to an
extensive investigation of the public water
system. Several odor-causing compounds were
isolated and appeared related to coal gas
manufacturing residue disposal. Impacted wells
were closed and the city added a powdered
activated carbon system to resolve the problem. A
total of nine wells were impacted. All of the
wells are back in operation at present with
further studies by the utility being carried out.
No Federal or State funds were expended beyond
those for consultation and preliminary sample
analysis.
coal gas residue
drinking water wells
Hillsborough Co., Florida
Investigation of a landfill showed volatile
organic groundwater contamination in samples from
six wells. Of these six wells, one was a water
supply well on the landfill site, three were
private wells supplies serving single residences,
and two were private supplies serving trailer
courts qualifying as a community supplies. Upon
release of the data indicating private well supply
contamination, the County Health Dept. instituted
organics
drinking water wells
76
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a bottled-water distribution program to impacted
residents pending a long-term solution to the
contamination.
77
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GEORGIA
General Electric, Rome, Georgia
The GE transformer manufacturing plant in
Rome, GA is responsible for PCB contamination of RGB's
sludge from the local sewage treatment plant, as surface water
well as contamination of the upper reaches of Lake
Weiss. The plant had general surface
contamination (PCB's) at the bulk off-loading
facility. Plant employees contaminated with PCB's
used the plant's shower facilities for clean-up,
which contributed to contamination of the city
sewers. PCB contaminated storm waterwater runoff
entering combined sewers also contributed to
contamination of the sewage treatment plant
sludge. Tons of PCB contaminated sludge is now
being hauled to Chemical Waste Management of
Alabama. The GE plant is also responsible for a
standing advisory against the commercial taking of
bottom-feeding fish from the upper reaches of Lake
Weiss due to the PCB contamination.
78
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GUAM
Agana, Guam, 1974
High levels of several heavy metals heavy metals
(selenium, chromium, mercury} were discovered public water
at the FENA water treatment plant. Old
munitions dumps may have been the source
of the toxic pollution.
79
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IDAHO
Yellow Pine, Idaho, 1980
Two large tailings piles remain at
the Yellow Pine Mine site in north central
Idaho. The tailing piles are located in a
stream valley and are leaching arsenic and
heavy metals. No significant environmental
damage has yet occurred; however, grading
and erosion control measures may be necessary
to protect the stream.
arserri c
potential
surface water
80
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ILLINOIS
Byron, Illinois
Three cattle died of cyanide poisoning which
resulted from the unregulated land disposal of
3,400 55-gallon drums of industrial wastes on two
t
farms, one of which had since been purchased by
Commonwealth Edison. The drums of unknown origin
had been deposited within the previous two years.
Subsequent investigation discovered wildlife kills
and vegetation damage. Cyanide was also found in
17 wells in the Byron area. Commonwealth Edison
agreed to clean up its farm at an approximate cost
of $209,000. The washes remained on the other
farm.
Rock Island, Illinois
cyanide
wildlife
A landfill operation began in 1955 in a swampy
area on the floodplain of the Rock River. Contamination
of monitoring wells was detected in 1972. The City of
Rock Island has been denied a permit for continued
use of the site. The case is in litigation. City
officials have begun to look for another site. The existing
landfill will probably be closed when a new site
is found. No remedial action has been reported.
leachate
groundwater
81
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Winnetka, Illinois
The Winnetka landfill site has been
used for disposal since 1947. A study
was made of the hydrogeologic and
water-quality conditions at the
landfill. A groundwater mound has
formed within the landfill; ground-
water flow is therefore away from the
landfill on all sides. Groundwater
contamination is limited to the fill
area.
leachate
groundwater
South Beloit, Illinois
An investigation by the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency of a
landfill for which a permit application
had been received disclosed groundwater
contamination as a result of the landfill
operation. The landfill has been in
operation in a sand and gravel quarry since
19^6, and several private wells had become
contaminated several years ago. The
landfill site is closed and monitoring of
groundwater has been initiated.
leachate
private well
groundwater
82
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Rockford, Illinois
In late 1971, contamination of a public
water supply well became apparent when
detected in wells and in near-by homes. An
investigation traced the source of contamination
to a near-by landfill. Several industrial wells
had previously shown contamination and their use
had been discontinued. At the request of the
superintendent of the Rockford Water Department, a
groundwater recovery program was developed by the
Illinois State Geological Survey and State Water
Survey. The plan recommended pumping groundwater
and recovering methane. The proposal was never
implemented. Legal action was taken in early 1974
by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
An agreement was reached whereby the site was closed
and covered. Several homes whose wells had been
affected were provided with public water. Remedial
action following contamination of the initial well
might have limited the spread of contamination.
leachate
mercury
public wells
groundwater
83
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Palos Hills, Illinois
When landfill operations were begun in a sand
and gravel quarry, disposal was directly into water
at the base of the quarry. Concern about possible
groundwater contamination led to an investigation.
It was determined that the sand and gravel aquifer was
contaminated, but there was no evidence that the
underlying limestone aquifer was affected. A 1972
Illinois Pollution Control Board ruling against the
landfill required diversion of surface water,
installation of a clay liner in places, closure within
a year, and continued monitoring. The site has been
closed and final cover is nearly complete.
leachate
groundwater
aquifer
84
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South Elgin, Illinois
A landfill was operated on a 45-acre site for
several years. Monitoring wells installed in the
shallow sand and gravel aquifer detected groundwater
contamination about 1970. The monitoring wells had been
placed between the landfill and the South Elgin well
field. In 1972, the operators of the landfill were
fined $10,000 by the Illinois Pollution Control Board
for causing groundwater contamination and posing a
potential threat to the South Elgin well field. In
1975, a permit was issued for the use of the site for
inert materials to bring the site up to grade for closing.
The permit provides for some collection and treatment
of surface leachate. Monitoring continues to show
groundwater contamination of the shallow aquifer.
leachate
groundwater
85
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Marshall, Illinois
Velsicol Chemical Corporation releases
about 110,000 gpd of cooling towers blowdown
water, borter blowdown water, wastes from
sodium zeollite regeneration and chlordane
processing and contaminated runoff Into 3 surface
impoundments. Analysis of groundwaters show
high concentrations of chloride, chlordane,
borox, oil and grease. The pollution seems to
be confined to the plant property. The Company
is currently upgrading the ponds.
surface impoundment
chloride
chlordane, oil
groundwater
Cook County, Illinois
Hyon Waste Management Corporation uses 14
lagoons for the treatment of industrial wastes. industrial wastes
Groundwater monitoring has shown local groundwater
concentrations of copper, chromium, iron, manganese,
nickel, zinc, cyanide and COD to exceed background
concentrations.
86
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West Chicago, Illinois
Between 1932 and 1973, Kerr-McGee and its
predecessor companies operated a facility where
radioactive and rare-earth containing compounds
were processed. During operation, liquid waste
was generated at a rate of 400,000 to 600,000 GPD
and discharged to two infiltration impoundments
between 1932 nd 1953. Two others were constructed
in 1954. Groundwater analysis in 1976 did not show
the presence of radioactivity but subsequent analyses
in 1979 showed elevated concentrations of ammonia,
chloride, fluoride, phosphorus, IDS, sulfate
and nitrate.
radioactive waste
chemicals
groundwater
Kankakee County, Illinois
The General Foods - Gaines Research Kennel
releases an average of 15,000 GDP of activated
sludge effluent into a permitted, rubber-lined
lagoon and then to a subsurface seepage system
for disposal. After wells in a nearby subdivision
showed elevated levels of nitrate, monitoring wells
were located neard the facility. These wells
showed elevated levels of ammonia and nitrate. The
seepage field has been shown to be the primary
cause of pollution with the lagoon being secondary.
nitrate
groundwater
87
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Streator, II I Inols
Borden Inc. - Smith Douglas manufactures
phosphoric acid, sulfurfc acid and a mixed
fertilizer for agricultural use. Wastewater
Is currently discharged Into two lagoons, one
of which Is referred to as the "green pond"
due to its color resulting from a dye used In
the fertilizer. Green water has been observed
seeping from a bank into a nearby creek. The
green water has been analyzed and found a certain
high amounts of ammonia, phosphorus, chloride,
fluoride, nd sulfates. The pH of this water was
4.6. In 1966 several cattle died as a result of
high nitrate and sulfate concentrations in the
stream. Green pond has been subsequently drained
and filled with clear water.
suIf urIc ac i d
surface water
cattle deaths
88
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Danv 11 Ie, I I Ii no Is
Allied Chemical Corporation manufacturers chemical wastes
regrlgerants and aerosol propellants at Its ground water
plant In Danville. Wastewater Is generated at
about 50 gpd and contains approximately 30/J spent
hydrochloric acid, less than \% hydrofluoric acid,
and Is high In chlorides and Inorganic salts.
Wastewater Is discharged Into a lagoon and finally
enters a deep well Injection system. Analyses
of water samples from monitoring wells Indicates
that ground water adajcent to the Impoundment has been
polluted by fluoride, chloride, sulfate and antimony.
and also that the contaminant concentrations decrease
to background levels within the plant property. The
Impoundment will be closed in the summe of 1980.
Mahomet, II I I no Is
The Sangamon Valley Water District operates a TDS
three-cell aerated lagoon sewage treatment facility ground water
that was built In 1969 and expanded In 1971.
Groundwater monitoring wells have shown that the
facility is polluting nearby ground water. Waters
down-gradient from the facility have shown 3-fold
increases In TDS and 20-fold Increases In chlorides.
No Immediate legal action has been taken pending
I I IInols EPA studies.
89
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Du Page County. Illinois
Some deterioration in water quality is
apparent away from the landfill, but ground-water
contamination is generally limited to the fill areas.
The Old Du Page County landfill was operated from
1952 to 1966. A study was made of the hydrogeologic
and water conditions at the landfill. A ground water
mound, which is reflected by a number of seeps and
springs around the perimeter of the landfill has
developed at the site.
leachate
water quality
Elgin, Illinois
Groundwater contamination is limited to the
landfill site and the area between
the fill and the Fox River- Filling began in 1968
at the Elgin landfill. Wastes have included both
household garbage and industrial wastes. A study
was made of the hydrogeologic and water-quality
conditions at the site.
leachate
groundwater
90
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Lake County, Illinois
A complaint of contamination of a private
well was made to the Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency in December 1973. An investigation
traced the source to an industrial waste leaching pit
some 50 feet from the affected well. In addition, acid
wastes were stored in open barrels near by. There was
evidence of spillage and discharge to near-by Lily Lake.
The responsible industry agreed to have the industrial
wastes hauled away. Shortly thereafter, the industry
moved to a new location and legal action by an
environmental group was dropped. The owners of the
contaminated well drilled a new well to a deeper aquifer.
acid wastes
private well
groundwater
91
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West Chicago, Illinois
A 1962 report prepared by the Illinois
Geological Survey and the Illinois Water
Survey indicated an area of mineralized ground
water in West Chicago. W.J. Butler designed a study
to determine the source and extent of groundwater
mineralization. The contamination was traced to a
seepage lagoon used by a chemical plant to dispose
of it's wastes—1.6 million gallons of waste water
were discharged to this lagoon weekly. The bottom
of the lagoon 1s in sand. The contaminants apparently
moved through the glacial drift to the dolomite aquifer.
No remedial action was reported.
leachate
groundwater
Peoria, Illinois
Several public water-supply wells became contaminated
with highly mineralized water shortly after they were waste water
installed. The contamination was traced to near-by public wells
surface disposal of waste from a water softener. The
wells were relocated.
92
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Geneseo, Illinois
Dumping was begun at the landfill site
before 1900. At about the same time, springs
east of the site were tapped as a source of water
for Geneseo. Increased demand for water has resulted
in the installation of several wells in the landfill
area; the springs have been abandoned. Water-quality
analyses of the springs and wells during the past
several decades has indicated no groundwater
contamination beyond the limits of the fill. A change
in quality of raw water was first thought to have resulted
from pollution by the landfill, but the changes may have
been due to increased production. The site was closed
in 1974 as a threat to local water supply wells. The
springs and wells have been abandoned because of
deterioration in the quality of the water. However, there
has been no conclusive evidence that the landfill is
responsible for the degradation, even though the geologic
setting is undesirable for landfill operations.
leachate
groundwater
93
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Macomb, Illinois
Shortly before a landfill was closed
in 1971, leachate was discovered coming from the leachate
side of the fill. The continued leachate discharge surfacewater
has led to the conjecture that a spring was buried in
the course of landfill operation. Leachate moves toward
the La Moine River. The city of Macomb tried to stop the
leachate discharges by regrading the site, with some
success. However, final cover has not been placed on the
landfill to reduce infiltration.
Springfield, Illinois
Sampling of monitoring wells in late 1972
revealed groundwater was being contaminated by leachate
a landfill operation. A permit was issued by the groundwater
IEPA for a new landfill site, which will result in
the closing of the old site. Groundwater contamination
continues.
94
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Danville Illinois-Indiana Wabask River 1977-1978
In December 1977 a pipeline near Danville, 111.,
that contained xylene ruptured and spilled into a
creek; heavy rains washed out dams which were
controlling the spill, and some of the material
reached the Wabash River. As a precaution, residents
of Terre Haute, Ind., stopped drawing water from the
river and switched to well water. At Mt. Carmel, 111.,
which has its water intake valves 8 feet below the
river surface, extra carbon was added to its water
treatment, also as a precautionary measure. There
were no reports of human injury, but officials
suspected that the xylene may have killed six cows
and sickened 42 others. The pipeline was owned by the
Amoco Oil Company. Several months later a second,
smaller spill occurred, involving several hundred gallons
of xylene. Vapors from that spill were strong enough
to require evacuation of a number of residents.
xylene
groundwater
cow deaths
95
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Aurora, Illinois
Leachate from a landfill site accepting
industrial waste contaminated nine wells.
Owners of the wells sued the owners, Fox Valley
Disposal Co., and were awarded $54,000 damages to
cover costs of legal expenses and a hook-up to the
city of North Aurora's water lines. The State
investigations of the incident cost an estimated
$52,000.
groundwater
Calumet (Cook County), Illinois
On December 18, 1975 a man was severely
burned when the compactor that he was operating
struct a 55-gallon drum of ethyl acetate; he died
three days later from his burns. The compactor,
valued at ($100,000) was total loss. A
scavenger hauler had deposited two drums of ethyl
acetate in the dark hours of the morning.
ethyl acetate
human health
96
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East St. Louis, Illinois
The Monsanto Chemical Co. maintained organics
an industrial waste dump on company
property adjacent to the Mississippi
River in East Saint Louis from the mid
1960's. Wastes dumped into holding
ponds include phenols, nitrobenzene
derivatives, sulfuric acid and fly ash.
In 1972 and 1974 tests of shallow wells
at the perimeter of the site showed
phenol contamination. In July 1974, the
site was closed.
groundwater
mixed chemicals
ground water
Mallard Lake Forest Preserve (DuPage County), Illinois
According to newspaper reports, the
Illinois Attorney General filed suit to
close a hazardous chemical waste dumping
site which had taken liquid chemical
wastes including cyanide, phenols
and mercury. The Attorney General
said the site was "polluting or
threatening to pollute the groundwater
and adjacent Lake Mallard." The
Attorney General also sued the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency, which
had issued a supplemental permit that
allowed dumping of the liquid wastes in
the sanitary landfill.
97
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Marshall, Illinois, August, 1979
Heavy rains apparently eroded a dike at
a waste-storage pond for hexachlorocylopen- hexachlorocyclopentadiane
surface waters
tadiene owned by the Velsicol Chemical Cor-
poration, near Marshall, washing some of the
contaminant into two tributaries which fed into
the Wabash and Ohio Rivers above Franklin,
Illinois. The spill was contained within
four hours. Velsicol and the State are
cleaning up the site.
96
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INDIANA
Gary, Indiana
In August 1977 explosions and a fire
occurred at Mid-Co. Corp., owned and operated
by Ernest DeHart. Hazardous wastes stored and
stock-piled in open fields burned out of control
for hours. The State has estimated site cleanup
would cost $5 million. EPA has filed suit to
require a complete cleanup of the site. A partial
cleanup was begun in early 1980 under court order-
mixed wastes
fire hazard
Bloomington, Indiana
Sewer lines, streams and farms have been
contaminated with the toxic chemical PCB.
Westinghouse Electric Corp. has been charged with
dumping up to eight pounds a day into the city's
sewers.
PCB
land,surface water
99
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Dunreith, Indiana
A railroad tank car accident resulted in
an explosion, a fire, and the spilling of hazardous
chemicals. Some 1200 gallons of acetone cyanohydrin
percolated into the railroad bed and down a tile drain
into Buck Creek, which supplied water to a downstream
municipality. Concentrations of cyanide in Buck Creek
were as high as 405mg/l. The maximum safe level is
20mg/l. Over 3 tons of calcium hypochlorite was dumped
into Buck Creek to deactivate the cyanide before it
reached downstream water users. This approach was
apparently successful. Near-by-well owners were
notified to cease use of their wells. A sampling
program to test for contamination of groundwater
continued into April. Contamination water was pumped
from the ground, treated, lagooned, then fed to surface
water. April snowmelt flushed additional cyanide into
ground water. Roadbed materials were decontaminated.
The remedial action was apparently successful. However,
the polluted waters were not noticed quickly enough, and
serious consequences could have resulted*
acetone cyanohydrin
groundwater
100
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Kingsbury, Indiana
The site of the Fisher-Calo Chemical and
Solvent Corp. was named in 1979 as a potential mixed chemicals
groundwater
hazard. An estimated 20,000 drums and several
million gallons in bulk storage of acids,
cyanides, and chlorinated solvents are in a
warehouse and open field at the site. The site is
located in a sand dune area, and ground and
surface water pollution is probable. The State
filed suit in this case, but the judge hasn't
heard the case.
Most cyanide wastes have been moved to the
NECO site in Sheffield, Illinois.
There is no known surface water
contamination, but one monitoring well has been
contaminated.
101
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Kokomo, Indiana
A private well was contaminated with a creosote-
like waste. A new well was drilled near by that also
became contaminated. An investigation revealed that
molding sand used in the manufacturing of chrome steel
castings had been used for land fill. Water seeping
through the sand leached out chromate and carried it
through a drainage ditch to a swamp that acted as a
recharge zone to ground water. The swamp is close to
the affected wells. No remedial action was reported.
chromate
ground water
Elkart, Indiana
In 1973 chromium levels in wells of six
homeowners were found to be over 100 times EPA
drinking water standards. The suspected source
of the pollutants is.the Himco industrial landfill
containing pharmaceutical and other industrial
waste. The problem was "remedied" by digging
deeper wells. Recently, USGS is studying the entire
area around the site to evaluate extent of groundwater
contamination. The site closed in 1976 through a
consent agreement with the State.
chromium
public wells
102
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IOWA
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Contaminated oil has been stored PCB
since March 1977 under court order. The storage & road
operator stored oil for recycling and application
road application until the oil was found
to be contaminated by PCB's. The
operator is not financially able to dispose
of contaminated oils. Some oil has been
disposed at the expense of the State of
Iowa. 1300 gallons of contaminated oil
remains in storage at Marion and 23,000
gallons at Fort Dodge until financial
arrangements for disposal can be made.
Malvern, Iowa, 1980
Approximately 1200 drums, some
rusting and leaking of flammable
chemicals stored in an unsafe, wooden
warehouse, pose threats of fire and
explosion, potentially toxic vapors
and contamination of a nearby stream
to the community in Malvern, Iowa.
Private residents are located within
500 feet and bulk storage in 3 gasoline
tanks is about 100 feet from the rear of
the warehouse. The site is owned by Robert
Richter- Efforts are underway to remedy
the situation. EPA has expended $10,000 in
Section 104 Emergency Funds and the State
has agreed to assume any additional costs.
An enforcement action was filed 3/21/80 in
Federal District Court to obtain relief that
would abate the imminent hazard.
toluene, creotone
zinc oxide
air/health
fire/explosion
surface water
103
-------
Charles City, Iowa
This disposal site is located on the bank of
the Cedar River in Charles City, Iowa. Salisbury
Laboratories disposed of large quantities of
chemical wastes resulting from the manufacture of
pharmaceutical products at the site since 1953.
Significant amounts of arsenic and organics,
including orthonitroaniline, have been found to be
leaching to the river from the disposal site.
Orthonitroanaline was found in wells over 100
kilometers from the site. An Administrative Order
was issued by EPA in July 1979 which ordered
Salsbury Laboratories to undertake a series of
remedial actions on a specific schedule including
installation of a groundwater monitoring system.
Monitoring was initiated in September 1979.
Orthonitroanaline,
arsenic
groundwater
104
-------
Omaha, Iowa
Ground water 1s contaminated in a zone 5100 feet
wide, 670 feet long (truncated by the Missouri River),
and 40 feet deep. The bottom of the contaminated zone
coincides with the bedrock surface. Beginning in 1972,
an investigation was made of the extent of possible
ground water contamination associated with the Omaha
landfill. The landfill 1s 9 years old and covers 110
acres. No remedial action was reported.
leachate
groundwater
Ames, Iowa
Ground water was contaminated in a zone extending
7000 feet down-gradient from the landfill and to a
vertical depth of between 80 and 100 feet. In 1972,
an Investigation was made to determine whether a
landfilll was causing contamination and, 1f so, to
what extent. The landfill is 18 years old and covers
34 acres. No remedial action was reported.
leachate
groundwater
105
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Kansas
Newton, Kansas
Fifty-six cattle died and another one
hundred twelve were contaminated when waste
transformer oil containing RGB's was used on back
rubbers at a farm. The 112 cattle were slain and
buried in an EPA approved south-central Kansas
industrial waste disposal site along with 70 pounds
of contaminated meat, 2 empty PCB contaminated
back rubbers, and 70 cubic yards of PCB contaminated
soil. The PCB contaminated oil is in storage
awaiting an appropriate disposal method.
PCB cattle
Vulcan Materials Co., Wichita, Kansas
The Vulcan Materials Co. operated a waste
disposal facitilty in Wichita, Kansas. In the
early 1970's extensive air and water pollution
were caused by improper management practices.
Breached lagoons and contaminated runoff resulted
in numerous fishfills. Vulcan paid a $10,000 fine
for a 1976 fishkill. Vulcan claims to have spent
$8.9 million on site cleanup and implementation of
a comprehensive waste management program is
complete. The Kansas Department of Health and
Environment and the EPA Regional Office inspected
the site and facility during the summer of 1979
and approved the clean-up effort.
106
air & water
pollution
-------
Cherryvale, Kansas
The National Zinc Company site is an inactive
zinc processing facility. Active clean-up of this zinc
site has been taking place over the last two years ground water
under the direction of the State. Several settling
ponds have been drained and bottom sediments scraped
into the center for further disposal. A majority of
the structure on-site have been partially disassembled
or removed.
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KENTUCKY
West Point, Kentucky
The "Valley of the Drums" is an abandoned
disposal site containing approximately 17,000
drums of industrial waste. Federal funds were
spent to temporarily contain the site. An
emergency waste treatment system was also
installed. The State is negotiating with the
waste generators for removal of the drums
and proper disposal. Chemicals migrating from the
site have been detected in streams draining to the
Ohio River.
industrial wastes
surface water
Louisville, Kentucky, 1977
The municipal sewer system was contaminated
by chlorinated organic chemicals dumped by Donald
Distler, a waste hauler. The wastewater treatment
plant was temporarily evacuated by workers due to
toxic fumes produced by the illegally dumped
wastes. EPA funded the cleaning of the municipal
sewers and removal of contaminated sludges.
Distler was convicted on criminal charges of
illegal dumping under the Clean Mater Act.
chlorinated organics
wastewater treatment
plant, surface water
108
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Louisville, Kentucky
For five years Lee's Lane Landfill methane gas
received municipal and industrial wastes, evacuation
In 1975 officials temporarily evacuated
eight families because of explosive methane
gas. The dump was subsequently closed.
Approximately 400 drums of hazardous waste
are located at the dump within the flood-
plain of the Ohio River. A gas venting
system is planned for installation at the
landfill.
West Point, Kentucky
The "Brickyard" site is an abandoned industrial wastes
disposal site which was used by Donald surface waters
Distler for drum storage. The site
contains thousands of drums on the
surface. No effort to contain the site
had been made and surface water
contamination has occurred.
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LOUISIANA
Bayou Sorrel, Louisiana, 1978
On July 25, a truck driver employed by
Clean Land Air Water, (CLAW) died of hydrogen
sulfide asphyxiation while dumping a load of
chemicals into a pit owned by CLAWS's sister
company, Environmental Purification Advancement.
The facility contained four surface impoundments
and a landfill cell. The site, however, was
only permitted for landfill cell. The liquid
waste originated from chemical and petroleum
industries. The state revoked the permit for
land disposal and required Environmental
Purification Advancement to cleanup the site.
The company is reported to have spent $1,000,000.
The company implemented an enhanced evaporation
plan which accelerated the evaporation and
dispersion of pollutants into the atmosphere.
This kind of approach, however, can not be
considered as containment, treatment or
cleanup.
hydrogen sulfide
organics, toxic
wastes
death, air
ground water
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, May 1979
Petro-Processors of Louisiana, Inc. has
dumped hazardous waste into a waste disposal
site. Heavy rains transported the chemicals
to an adjacent 550 acres of farmland which
toxic wastes
soil, vegetation
cattle deaths
110
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damaged vegetation. The farmer has waged
a ten-year court fight over the pollution.
His sister and brothers accepted and out-of-
court settlement of $10,000 each plus $20,000
for 160 cattle who died after the chemical
leaks were discovered. Cleanup costs are
expected to be substantial.
DeQuincy, Louisiana
A firm used a site In DeQuincy,
Louisiana for land disposal of toxic wastes.
At the DeRidder site, wastes leaking from
some of the 3000 drums stored there have
caused vegetation stress. Vapors have
also been observed emanating from the
drums. The site is also subject to flooding
and wash-outs. Those materials that have not
washed downstream are burled. Property
surrounding the site is now being developed
for residential use. State court action
enjoined the firm from further use of portions
this site. Cleanup costs are expected to be
substantial.
toxic wastes
surface water, air
111
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Ville Platte, Louisiana
The BWS Tate Cove site was supposed to
be temporary storage for 5000 drums of industrial toxic organics
wastes. This unsecured, abandoned site was heavy metals
poorly managed. Hazardous wastes, including
toxic organics and heavy metals, have entered
Coulee Teal, which is a recharge area for the
Chicot aquifer. The cleanup costs for temporary
abatement of runoff is being assessed.
surface and
ground water
Sorrento, Louisiana
The Cleave Reber site has been abandoned
since 1972 and contains 600 very badly
deteriorating waste drums containing
sulfuric acid, cyclohexamine, and
waste oils and greases. A pond containing
PCB's, drains into a tributary of Blind
River. The site may also contain styrene tars
that have been covered over. Currently the
site is under investigation for remedial action.
Organics, PCB's
surface water
112
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Browing-Ferris Industries, Inc. (Darrow/Geismer), Ascersion Parish, Louisana
The site was opened as a landfill operation
in 1967 by Industrial Waste, Inc. Industrial Waste,
Inc. had problems with liquid wastes leaving the site
and entering Bayou Conway. In 1970, approval was
given to operate a refuse and garbage disposal operation
at the same site; however, industrial wastes were
accepted and stored. Browning-Ferris Industries
purchased the landfill in 1973 but was apparently
unaware of a Cease and Desist Order or disposal
restrictions that had been placed on the site. In 1974,
BFI started repair of dikes and contracted for the removal
of some of the styene tars. In January 1978, a dike was
washed out and liquid wastes spilled onto the adjacent land,
BFI repaired the dikes and did some cleanup.
liquid wastes
surface water
113
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MAINE
Ba1 Ieyv I II e, Ma 1ne
A large paper mill constructed three lagoons chemical wastes
In 1977 to treat a wastewater flow of about 35 MGD. ground water
The lagoons were expected to be "self sealing"
from the deposition of Inert solids so no liners
were Installed. Adjacent ground water quality moni-
toring surveys has shown elevated levels of sodium,
IDS, sulfate, iron, chloride, calcium, and magnesium.
Sampling of surface waters near the Impoundments also
show Impact. A series of meetings have taken place
between the company's representatives and the Maine
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to effect
a lasting solution to the pollution problem.
East Gray, Maine
A waste disposal site In East Gray, Maine chemical wastes
accepted an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 gallons well water
annually of waste oils, process bottom wastes,
tank bottom wastes, septic tank wastes, Industrial
process wastes, and various other liquid wastes.
These wastes were stored In tanks or placed In a 1/2
acre aspha11-I Ined lagoon. Two years after commence-
ment of operations complaints of poor water quality were
voiced by nearby residents. In 1977 trlchlorethane,
trIchloroethylene, dimethyl sulfate, acetone,
trImethyIsI Ianol, xylene, freon and assorted alcohols
were found In 20 nearby residential well waters. It
was later verified that the contamination originated
from the waste disposal site. A moratorium has been
placed on any new construction within a 2-mile radius
of the site and the facility has been closed. Interim
measures have been taken to supply residents with
drinking water until a long-term solution Is found.
114
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North Berwick, Maine, I960
Eight abandoned trailers, containing 800 drums phenols
of hazardous materials, Including* phenols, toluene, surface waters
xylene, and creosol were located on the unused portion
of an industrial parking lot. The transporters
intended to use this area as a storage and transfer
facility without benefit of required State approvals.
Two of the trailers are leaking In close proximity
of a drainage ditch which leads to the Great Works
River. All of the drums and trailers have been removed
by the State. Threat to surface waters allowed EPA
to use CWA section 311 funds to provide site security.
Easton Maine
Since the early 1960's a potato processing chemical wastes
plant and an adjacent sugar beet processing surface water
plant have established 21 separate surface
Impoundments covering 175 acres to
dispose of, treat, or store their effluent.
The lagoons were not properly engineered, were
poorly maintained and did not work properly.
Enforcement actions were hampered by bankruptcy
court proceedings. Although surface water Impact
from the lagoons Is the most obvious problem,
groundwater contamination is highly suspected. A few
private drinking water.wells have become contaminated
but a positive connection between the contamination
and the lagoons has not been established.
115
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GUI1 ford, Maine
State officials have warned fisherman to use
discretion in eating fish from the Piscataquis and
Penobscot Rivers due to TRIS, a carcinogen
reportedly discharged into the rivers illegally in
1979.
TRIS
surface water
Saco, Maine
In 1974 tests indicated that private drinking
water wells adjacent to the town dump had been
contaminated with chromium, iron and manganese.
Disposal of sludges from wastewater treatment
plants receiving large amounts of tannery waste
was apparently the cause of the problem.
heavy metals
drinking water wells
Gray, Maine
In 1977 residential wells were contaminated
with trichloroethylene and other chemicals by a
solvent and oil waste processing facility.
Municipal water lines were extended to the
affected community at a cost of $500,000. Health
effects studies are being conducted. The State
paid for cleanup of the site.
TCE, organics
drinking water wells
116
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MARYLAND
Baltimore, Maryland
Allied Chemical has used chrome ore
wastes for many years as fill in the
Baltimore Harbor area. Leachate from the
fill has drained to the harbor through
storm sewers and has disrupted aquatic
life at the bottom of the harbor. A
temporary containment and treatment
system has been installed by the State.
Permanent remedial measures will be
undertaken by the State.
Fairchild Republic, Hagerstown, Maryland
In 1979, Hagerstown, Maryland officials
suspected that chemicals from the Fairchild
Republic Co. were leaching into the groundwater.
Health Department officials located two wells
with contamination. A consultant has been
contracted to study the wells in the area.
chromate
surface water
toxic chemicals
groundwater
117
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Sharptown, Maryland, I960
Thirty-four storage tanks containing 170,000
gallons of waste oil contaminated with PCB's,
xylene, benzene, etc., are Inadequately stored
adjacent to the Nantlcoke River, a tributary
of Chesapeake Bay and a prime spawning ground
for rockflsh. Approximately $500,000 In
section 31 I(k) funds have been committed to
clean up the site. Arrangements are being made
to relocate oil/RGB liquids to temporary
storage at a GSA facility In Curtis Bay, Maryland
waste oiI, PCB «s
surface water
118
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MASSACHUSETTS
Freetown, Massachusetts. 1979
An unknown quantity of organic solvents were
burled In leaking drums and dumped in a pit area
at the H&M Drum Company's illegal site. The
subsurface geology consists of gravel deposits
underlain with a clay lense 5 to 7 feet in
thickness. The site also has approximately 300
drums stored in 3 semitrailers and 700 drums
stored in a warehouse adjacent to the site.
The State has acted to remove barrels, however
funds are not available at this time to decontaminate
soils or remove materials that have leached into
the ground. The owner of the company was criminally
indicted by a State court and received a jail sentence.
organic solvents
land and groundwater
pol1ution
Bedford, Massachusetts, 1979
The Boston suburb of Bedford has lost 85
percent of its municipal water supply due to
well contamination of dioxane and TCE. The
town is buying water to replace the supply and
is spending $100,000 to identify the source of
the chemicals. Several large firms have been
named as potential generators.
dioxane, ICE
drinking water supply
119
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Dorchester, Massachusetts
In 1979 after complaints of air pollution and
several fires, the City of Boston hired a waste
disposal contractor to remove 2000 barrels of
mixed chemical waste from the site of a bankrupt
wastehauler. Costs totalled $56,000. The State
has filed criminal charges in this case.
chemical wastes
fire, air pollution
Rehoboth, Massachusetts, 1978
Illegal dumping of chemical wastes near Shad
Factory Pond contaminated private wells and
threatened a reservoir. Among the identified
chemicals are toluene, trichloroethylene, and
ethyl acetate. Cleanup cost the State $125,000.
chemical wastes
drinking water wells
Lowel1, Massachusetts
A million gallons of hazardous wastes,
including solvents, waste oils, plating wastes,
toxic metals and chlorinated hydrocarbons, were
leaking from an abandoned toxic waste disposal
site. Rain water runoff caused contamination of
Concord River's aquatic environment. EPA, State
officials, and private contractors removed most of
organics, heavy metals
surface water
120
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the wastes at a cost to the State of
approximately $1.5 million. Another $600,000
is needed to finish the work, and those
monies have been appropriated by the state
legislature. The contaminated soil and
monitoring requirements have not been met.
Acton, Massachusetts, 1979
Subsurface disposal of benzene,
toluene, dichloroethylene, and other
organics by W.R. Grace and Company,
an organic chemical manufacturer,
led to the loss of 45 percent of the
municipal water supply. The town has
a ban on non-essential water use. As
part of an agreement to determine town
action on a request for building permit
the company funded a $90,000 groundwater
study. The results of that study have
provided the basis for Federal enforcement
action and a Section 7003 RCRA lawsuit
has been filed. The company has simply
agreed to short term cessation of
discharge of wastes to unline lagoons and
of site storage of wastes, but not to the
broader relief sought by the government.
benzene
toluene, etc.
drinking water wells
121
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Massachusetts
The State of Massachusetts has compiled a
report documenting the severity of groundwater chemical contamination
pollution by hazardous substances in that state. drinking water wells
In 1978 only four communities had closed wells
because of toxic chemical contamination. By
September 1979, a total of 22 communities had been
affected, with other incidents of contamination
being identified in 26 other communities. In
September of 1979, at least one-third of Massachusetts's
communities had been affected to some degree by chemical
contamination. The average loss of water resources to
these communities was approximately 40 per cent, with
a range of 5 to 100 per cent loss. These data exclude
instances of contamination by salt or PCB's. The
Department of Housing & Urban Development exhausted
their Imminent Hazard Fund in MA by partially funding
new supplies in Rowley and Grovel and. The FmHA also
provided a portion of the Funds for Rowley. A number
of communities are purchasing supplies from peaking
wells from other towns or from the Boston Metropolitan
District Commission whose supply is now serving 120%
over capacity.
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MICHIGAN
Story Chemical Co., Dalton, Michigan
In 1976, the Cordova Company purchased
the assets of the bankrupt Story Chemical Co.
and agreed to pay for site cleanup in ex-
change for a release from future liability.
Story Chemical had abandoned 8100 55-gallons
drums of chemicals and 8000 cubic yards of
sludges on the site and had, during plant
operation, stopped operating a groundwater
purge system installed by a predecessor at
the facility. Costs to connect 36 private
residents to a nearby municipal water supply
are estimated at $3 million. Cordova has spent
$600,000 on cleanup and the State has spent
$610,000.
Mixed chemicals
drinking water
123
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Monroe County, Michigan
An investigation was made to evaluate
existing and potential pollution resulting
from a landfill in Monroe County, Michigan.
The presence of springs around the periphery
of the landfill suggests that a ground-water
mound has developed within the fill. Ground-
water contamination is limited to the area
beneath the landfill.
leachate
ground water
Bronson, Michigan
In 1949, a shallow domestic well was found
to be contaminated with chromium. The contamination
was traced to leakage from two ponds of a major
plating company. Apparently, a ground-water mound
had formed beneath the ponds. No remedial action
was reported.
plating wastes
ground water
124
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Cast Forge, Inc., Howell, Michigan,
PCS contamination of groundwater and surface
water. Company discharged PCS contaminated wastewater
into a lagoon which in the past discharged directly to
the south branch of the Shiwassee River and continues to
discharge to groundwaters. Sediment and fish of that
river have been contaminated with high concentrations of
PCB. State has filed a civil action against the company
seeking cleanup of site. EPA is monitoring the State's
act Ion.
PCB's
f i sh ,r iver
sed i ment
Story Chemical Company, Muskegon County, Michigan, 1979
Surface storage of drummed waste, with occasional
burial using Insufficient cover techniques. Cleanup of
distillation residues, solvents, and raw materials is
under way. Residential well contamination has been
confirmed. New owner has completed removal of major
sources of pollution. State has appropriated funds for
further cleanup and alternate drinking water supplies.
industr ia I
wastes
drinking
water
West K.L. Avenue Landfill, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1979
Primarily a sanitary landfill. Received some In-
ustrial wastes. Confirmed ground water contamination
of private wells off-site. Private citizens sued for
cleanup and have negotiated a settlement with the company
which would provide an alternative water supply for the
residents.
Ind ustr i a I
wastes
dr i nkIng
we I I
125
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Cast. Forge, Inc. , Howell, Michigan
PCB contamination of groundwater and surface
water. Company discharged PCB contamianted waste-
water into a lagoon which in the past discharged
directly to the south branch of the Shiwassee
River and continues to discharge to groundwaters.
Sediment and fish of that river have been
contaminated with high concentrations of PCB.
State has filed a civil action against the
company seeking a complete cleanup of site.
EPA is monitoring the State's action.
Story Chemical Company, Muskegon County, Michigan, 1979
PCB's,
fish and river
sediment
Surface storage of drummed waste, with
occassional burial using insufficient cover
techniques. Cleanup of distillation residues
solvents, and raw materials is underway.
Residential well contamination has been confirmed.
New owner has completed removal of major sources
of pollution. State has appropriated funds for
further cleanup and alternate drinking water supplies.
industrial wastes
drinking water
West K.L. Avenue Landfill, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1979
Primarily a sanitary landfill. Received industrial
some industrial wastes. Confirmed groundwater drinking water
contamination of private wells off-site. Private well
citizens sued for cleanup and have negotiated
a settlement with the company which would provide
an alternative drinking water supply for the
residents.
126
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St. Louis, Michigan 1979
Between 1971 and 1973 the Michigan
(presently Velsicol) Chemical Corporation
dumped and estimated 269,000 pounds of waste
materials containing 60 to 70 percent
(161,400 to 188,300 pounds) of PBB's into
the Gratiot Oounty landfill. Significant
traces of PBB's and various levels of other
contaminant exist in ground and surface water
sample taken in and around the landfill site;
domestic water wells at the time were uncontaminated.
EPA granted MDNR $75,000 to study area groundwater
PCB
ground/surface water
Adrian, Michigan
Curene 442, a suspected carcinogen, was
reportedly found in high levels in dust
throughout a subdivision neighboring the
Anderson Development Company, manufacturer
of the chemical. Unacceptable levels of the
chemical were found in workers at the plant
as well as nearby residents. The State is
conducting an investigation.
Curene 442
human health
127
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Bofors Lakeway, Inc., Muskegon, Michigan
Groundwater contamination at this facility
results from past process water discharge to
unlined lagoons. Contaminated groundwaters have
seeped into Big Black Creek. In addition,
contaminated wastewater and sludges have entered
the river via surface discharges. Both sources
have had a serious effect upon aquatic life in
the Creek with the effects evident seven miles
downstream. Contaminants include dichlorobenzidine,
benzedine, aromatic amines, benzene, and toluene.
A fraction of the contaminated groundwater was
removed by the purge system which was jointly
funded by company and State. State has filed for
injunctive relief, penalties and damages for total
cleanup of site.
organics
ground and surface
water
128
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Montague, Michigan, 1957-1979
The State of fMichigan filed a multi-
million dollar lawsuit, alleging that Hooker pesticides
Chemical Co. buried tons of brine, asbestos, ground/surface water
fly ash and deadly pesticides for approximately
two years on an 880 acre site of its factory.
News media reports charged that 20/000 drums were
leaking wastes from the manufacture of the pesticide
precursor C-56; in 1979 officials also discovered
the highest levels of dioxin ever measured in
Michigan.
The chemicals leaked in the groundwater,
contaminating private wells, and then into
White Lake, which flows into Lake Michigan
less than a mile away.
Hooker offered the State a $11.5 million
cleanup pact, but the Attorney General declined.
Cleanup estimates range from $15 million to
$300 million. In June 1979, Hooker agreeded to
install a purge well system to intercept contaminated
water before it reached White Lake. In October of
1979, this Company and the State agreed on a
cleanup plan costing over $15 million.
129
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Oscoda, Michigan
In 1973 high levels of trichloro-
ethylene, a carcinogen, were found in the
well of a private residence. Over the
following five years>seven other private
residential wells and an industrial well
used by employees for drinking became
contaminated. The suspected cause is
open dumping of TCE on the site of a
nearby auto parts plant. Public water
has been supplied to the residents at a
cost of $140,000, borne by the FHA and
the municipality.
TCE
drinking water
Oakland County, Michigan
Two illegal dumpsites in Oakland
County, Michigan have been named as the
source of PCB's,toxic solvents and other
chemicals found in local wells in August
1979. Approximately 2000 drums were dumped
at the sites about 12 to 14 years ago. The
Michigan Department of Natural Resources is
involved in testing local wells and expects
to spend about $500,000 to remove the drums
from the site. The State declared the
site a "toxic" substances emergency in
September, 1979.
mixed chemicals
drinking water
130
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MINNESOTA
Pollution Control, Inc.
Shakopee, Minnesota
28,000 thousands drums of mixed
unidentified chemicals, many of which are mixed chemicals
flammable solvents and are leaking,
have been stored at this abandoned
site. A State District Court ordered the
dump's owner Melvin Bell to remove all
barrels, ash, sludge and contaminated soil or
surrender a $900,000 judgement. Currently
there are about 5000 barrels remaining
along with most of the ash and sludge.
Bell and other principals in the company
now operate a waste disposal incinerator
in El Dorado, Arkansas.
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St. Paul, Minnesota
After being assured that no surface
impoundments were present on the Koppers
Coke Company property In St. Paul, the MPCA
staff discovered a I0'xl3f unllned basin used
to dispose of oil, grease, various hydrocarbons
and phenols. Inspection of the property as a
condition of sale revealed both soil and ground-
water contamination with PAH's (polynuclear aromatic
hydrocarbons) as far as 1400' from the pit. It
Is not known whether deep aquifers are
contaminated. Corrective measures will be
required by the State.
hydrocarbons
so I I, ground water
Welsman Scrap Metal, WInona, Minnesota, 1979
This Is an Inactive site. 500 cubic yards of
PCB - contaminated soil and oil have been placed
in a plastic lined and covered diked area and is
awaiting disposal. Water supply wells are within
3/4 mile. One well showed a PCB concentration as
high as 45 ppb. The State Is Investigating proper
disposal alternatives.
industrial wastes
drinking water
we I I s
132
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Jordan, Minnesota
The Jordan, Minnesota Municipal treatment
plant produced an average of 268 MGD in 1978
which discharged into a 24-acre primary basin of
which approximately five acres are covered with
an average depth of seven inches. The seepage
rate for the ponds and area was estimated to be
44,000 gpd per acre with an accumulation of sludge
from 0.4 to 1 foot thick. The pond is completely
anaerobic. An aquifer monitoring study has shown
phosphorous in groundwater to be about 400 times
background levels 75 feet from the pond. Nitrate
levels are at least 800 times background 500 feet
from the pond. In addition, significant
concentrations of detergents were found in
adjacent ground waters. The State has included
the Jordan facility on its needs survey.
phosphorus
groundwater
133
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Pine Bond Area, Minnesota
In 1971 three major industrial facilities chemical wastes
were shown by the Minnesota Pollution Cash aquifer
Agency (MPCA) to have contaminated two square
miles of drinking water aquifer in the St. Paul
area through the use of unlined seepage ponds and
finishing lagoons. The groundwaters were
characterized by high total solids, nitrate,
phenolic compounds and sulphate concentrations,
as well as low pH and the presence of
petroleum odors. Meetings were held between the
MPCA and each of the companies in 1972. The use
of the lagoons and ponds were discontinued, monitoring
programs were implemented, treatment facilities were
upgraded and alternate water supplies to the affected
population were provided by the polluting companies.
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Rush Creek and Garvin Brook, Minnesota, 1978
On May 20, 1978, a fish kill
occurred on Rush Creek and Garvin
Brook near St. Charles in
southeastern Minnesota. Approximately
100,000 fish were killed including
10,000 trout. An estimated 13 miles
of trout waters were destroyed. Most
aquatic life necessary to support fish
was also killed. This was the worst
event in a recent series of similar
kills in Minnesota. A similar kill
was observed in Dushee Creek, MN, in
June 1974. Additional kills were
observed during early June 1979 on
Pine Creek, MN. The kill on June 7
on this watershed was termed heavy by
one observer who described "windrowed"
dead fish (mainly suckers). Agricultural
chemicals were implicated in this
toxic event — possibly an organo-
phosphate insecticide.
agricultural
fish kill
surface water
135
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Minneapolis, Minnesota
An investigation was made to determine
the extent of possible ground-water contamination
from a landfill during preliminary work for
highway construction. The landfill was
in an abandoned limestone quarry. At first
all types of refuse went into the site, with
disposal into several feet of water in
the quarry. Later, only demolition wastes were
accepted. An investigation revealed ground-
water contamination and traced it to the landfill
operation. The landfill is situated in an
abandoned limestone quarry, which was about half
full of water. Ground water is unconfined.
The site was excavated and dewatered for freeway
construction. The water removed by dewatering
was chlorinated and discharged to surface water.
leachate
ground water
136
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Woodbury Township, Minnesota
From the mid-fifties until 1966, a company
used pits for disposal of spent solvents and spent solvents
acids. A 1963 investigation by the Minnesota acid
Water Pollution Control Commission indicated the groundwater
possibility of groundwater contamination. The
report recommended that disposal of acids be stopped
and all other wastes go to clay-lined impoundments.
These two recommendations were followed, but in
1966, one of the nearby private wells showed ground-
water contamination. All use of the disposal site
was stopped. A 200-foot test well was drilled, and
most ground-water contamination was found near the
surface. The 200-foot well was converted to
a barrier well to prevent the spread of groundwater
contamination. Pumping at 700 gallons per minute began
January 1968. Two additional barrier wells have since been
constructed and put in operation. Pumping continues,
but contamination is still present.
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Duluth, Minnesota 1973 to the Present
In June 1973 asbestos-related minerals
or fibers were found in Lake Superior, the
source of supply of drinking water for a
number of communities, including the City of
Duluth. This finding came during the course
of litigation charging the Reserve Mining
Company of Silver Bay, Minn., with polluting
the lake through the dumping of waste
tailings from its taconite ore mining
operation. Taconite is a low-grade iron
ore. Although there was dispute about the
precise nature and concentrations of the
asbestos-like fibers in the waters of the
lake, there was much public concern about
the presence of any absestos-like substances.
Asbestos is a known human carcinogen when inhaled
occupationally, causing several kinds of cancer,
including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and
gastrointestianl cancer. Despite the lack of
known evidence that asbestos fibers ingested
with drinking water would produce cancer or
other health hazards, a number of these
communities around the lake implemented
additional treatment processes to remove
the substances from their drinking water intakes.
asbestos
drinking water
Lake Superior
138
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Cass Lake Area, Minnesota
The St. Regis Paper Company produces an arsenic, groundwater
average wastewater discharge of 12,000 gallons
per day from a wood treatment operation which goes
into an unlined, aerated pond. A groundwater
monitoring program established in 1979 has
shown concentrations of arsenic to be 3 times
the Federal primary drinking water standards,
phenol to be 10,000 times the Federal secondary
drinking water standards and pentachlorophehal to
be 10 times the EPA recommended drinking water
level. In addition, complaints were received
from private citizens in the area about creosote
taste and odor in their well waters and about
the polluted and unusable condition of a nearby
swimming beach. Final disposition of this
situation is pending a State study of several
Proposed options.
139
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Perham, Minnesota, 1972
In May 1972, a local contractor,
Hammer Construction Co., occupied a new office arsenic
and warehouse structure at the outskirts of drinking water
Perham, a town of 1900 residents in western
Minnesota. At that time, a well was drilled to
supply drinking water for about 13 people who
worked on the premises.
Early in May, five employees became ill
with gastrointestinal symptoms. Following this,
and continuing throughout the next 10 weeks,
other employees also became ill. Arsenic poisoning
was determined to be the cause, which affected a
total of 11 out of 13 persons exposed to the
water.
The source of the well water contamination
has been tracked back to the mid-1930's at which
time grasshoppers had constituted a serious problem
to farmers in the area. Some residents recall that
excess grasshopper bait had been buried at the
former County Fairgrounds, in a corner which
was used as the village dump in those days.
f
The estimated costs of.solutions range upward
from $25,000.
140
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MISSOURI
Kansas City, Missouri
The Conservation Chemicals Company site is a
chemical waste treatment/disposal facility located
on the river-side of the flood control level, at
the confluence of the Missouri and Blue Rivers in
Kansas City, Missouri. The facility was operated
since the early 1960's and consisted of three
disposal lagoons, a neutralization basin and
several'storage tanks. The site is located in
sandy soil and groundwater contamination has been
documented. In July 1977 the State of Missouri
ordered the company to close, stabilize and cover
the lagoons. The closure plan has not yet been
completed. Additional groundwater monitoring is
necessary to more specifically define the extent
of contamination.
chemical waste
groundwater
141
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Dittmer, Missouri, 1977
In 1977 a contaminated waste pit in
Missouri was found to be responsible for
killing all life in an adjacent stream,
as well as generating fogs and odors and
producing large amounts of contaminated
wastes. Chemical wastes including PCBs
apparently had been dumped into the illegal
pit. The facility was an unpermitted
chemical waste disposal site containing
buried drums and an open pit where waste
oil and chemicals had been poured. A CWA
section 311 action was taken to clean up
the site. Contaminated soil was removed
from the site and sent to a permitted land-
fill (the permitted landfill has been
closed and all wastes must be relocated).
A carbon absorption unit was installed on
the stream which empties into the Merrimac
River. The cost to cleanup the site was
$535,000. Monitoring is conducted by the
State of Missouri.
PCB's
chemical waste
aquatic life
surface water
142
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St. Charles, Missouri, 1980
Approximately 100 drums, suspected to contain
methyl-ethylketone, arsenic trioxide, chlordane,
malathion, and another 50 drums containing unknown
contents are stored in the St. Charles City Warehouse.
Toxic fumes pose a hazard to nearby workers and the
storage area is not diked, located on gravel, and
is adjacent to a drainage ditch. Efforts to remedy
the situation are underway. Costs to the City and
State are unknown. EPA has expended $10,000 from
Section 104 Emergency Funds.
hazardous chemicals
air/health
surface water
Missouri
The death of numerous animals at three stables
led to an investigation. After 3 years, it was
detemined that an extremely toxic chemical called
dioxin was responsible for the deaths and illness.
Dioxin had inadvertantlybeen mixed with waste oil
spread in the riding areanas to control dust.
Those animals coming into contact with the
contaminated soil died. Contaminated soil was
excavated from the stables and removed to
landfills, a highway construction site, and a yardfill
dioxin
animal deaths
143
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St. Joseph, Missouri
An unpermitted site where two hundred sixty four
55-gallon drums containing liquid chemical wastes toxic wastes
(consisting primarily of isopropanol, butanol,
stoddard solvent, methyethleketone, phenolics,
and acrylics) were improperly stored and disposed
of. Site is owned by Norris & Sons, Inc. Open
pit on site was being used to dispose of liquid
wastes. Site is being cleaned up under state order.
Generator has agreed to remove drummed wastes from
the site. Estimated clean up cost is $70,000.
Verona, Missouri
Three sites in the Verona, Missouri area have dioxin
presently been identified as potential dioxin disposal environmental
sites. Investigations at the three sites are being damage
conducted by EPA.
The dioxin wastes resulted from the production
of hexachlorophene in 1969-1972 by the Northeast
Riarmaceutical Company. The company rented equipment
and operating space from Syntex Agribusiness during the
period of hexachlorophene production. Wastes from this
process were disposed at several sites. Several of the
sites are not secure and environmental contamination may
have occurred. The Northeast Riarmaceutical Company has
declared bahkrupcy.
144
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EPA Region VII lab has completed the analyses
water samples taken in the Baldwin Park area, one
of the areas identified as a potential dioxin
contaminated site. All samples taken indicated
that water in the area meets or fells below the
maximum contaminant levels of the National
Interim Primary Drinking Water Standards.
Frontenac (St. Louis County), Missouri
About 29,000 gallons of waste oil containing
300-400ppn PCB's were stored on a local waste oil PCS
storage site owned by Bliss Oil Company. The one potential surface
15,000 gallon capacity tank was in poor condition, water
with drainage into a creek possible. The creek had contamination
eroded the foundation under the tank before the oil
was removed. The owner removed the materials to a
permitted facility after signing a Federal Consent
Agreement.
145
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Montana
Butte, Montana - Radiation Problem
Monitoring data In Butte has Indicated
anomalously high levels of gamma radiation
possibly caused by construction related use of
phosphate slag In residential stuctures, driveways
and streets. The primary health affects concern Is
associated with elevated levels of Indoor radon decay
products which have been found In the area. HUD has
required an evaluation of Indoor radon decay products
prior to Insuring home loans. EPA awarded a $72,000
grant to the Montana Department of Health and
Environmental Sciences to further assess the problem
and aid In EPA's radon standards setting program.
This concern over high radiation levels In Butte,
is In part related to data which Indicates a lung
cancer rate of 54.3 per 100,000 per year while the
Statewide average Is only 30.1 per 100,000.
At present the extent of the problem Is undefined
and there Is no IdentIfable source of funding to correct
this problem.
gamma radiation
air/human health
146
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NEVADA
Henderson, Nevada, 1980
The Desert Research Institute discovered
thirthlon pesticides 1n a Bureau of Reclamation
well 200 yards from a waste disposal site.
Access to the BMI-Stauffer Chemical Co. site
for sampling soils and surface-and ground water
contamination has been refused to EPA contractors.
EPA employees have entered the site to sample.
Some surface waters in the area have been sampled.
Preliminary analysis of samples indicates low levels
of many organic compounds. It is believed that
ground water contamination will be found. No
assessment of damage costs are available at
this time.
pesticides
ground water
147
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NEW HAMPSHIRE
Exeter, New Hampshire, 1978
Seventeen private wells adjacent to the Cross
Road landfill were found to be contaminated with
phenols, one well was 750 times drinking water
standards. Lime was applied to the site, and the
town has approved a $200,000 bond issue to supply
public water to the area. There has been no
restoration of groundwater.
phenols
drinking water
wells
Raymond, New Hampshire, 1979
Drums of chemicals were disposed of on the
site; 30 drums are stored at the site and an un-
known number are buried. State sampling of surface
water revealed presence of organics. Surface water
runs off the site to a tributary of the Exeter
River. The State issued an order in April, 1979 for
cleanup of the drums of chemicals and planned to
divert surface waters around the site. EPA is
investigating the site under CWA section 311.
organics
surface water
148
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Nashua/ New Hampshire
A private landfill is responsible for 1500 chemical wastes
barrels and reported bulk disposal of chemical
and industrial wastes. A State court judgement held
the operator responsible but determined that the
property owner was not (owner is mother-in-law to
operator). The court further decided that the State
should clean up the site and return for possible
financial penalties to be leveled. There are two
trailer parks also on the site, with new cement bases
for additional trailers permitted to be less than
100 feet from barrels. Combined use of 208, Safe
Drinking Water and 104 (CWA) monies are being used to
develop hydrogeological information. The State has
received a special appropriation of $300,000 to
clean up this and another site. EPA is investigating
for 7003 action to force complete clean up by the
owner and operator.
149
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NEW JERSEY
Deptford Township (Gloucester County), New Jersey
The Kinsley Landfill is approximately 50 feet thick
and covers an area of about 65 acres on a 300 acre site.
Kinsley accepts municipal wastes, sewage sludge and
industrial wastes including some chemicals. The
underlying aquifer contains concentrations of phenols,
cadmium, and lead which exceed drinking water standards.
Fires have been reported at the site and workers have
complained of skin and eye irritation, as well as
nausea. The landfill's threat to the surrounding
community has to yet to be determined.
phenols,
groundwater,
fires
Edison, New Jersey, 1980
The Kin-Buc landfill encompasses an area of
approximately 220 acres in Edison, New Jersey and was
utilized for the disposal of liquid and solid chemical,
municipal and industrial wastes during the period be-
tween 1969 and 1977. The landfill site lies adjacent
to the Raritan River and is traversed by two of its
direct tributaries and is also hydraulically connected
via underground aquifers to Mirror Lake, a popular
recreation area. A pipe and several ditches convey
drainage from pools of liquid wastes into Martins and
Edmonds Creek, both of which flow directly in the Raritan
River. $50,000 in CWA section 311 funds are being used to
contain wastes and analyze leachate.
metals
organics
surface water
150
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Elizabeth, New Jersey
At the Chemical Control site, located on the
banks of the Elizabeth River, 40,000 drums of
chemical wastes were stacked on a smalI site. Many
contained highly explosive material, and the
site posed a significant fire and explosion hazard
to the area. The State of New Jersey has spent
$300,000 for the removal of the most explosive and
radioactive wastes. The State Department of
Environmental Protection filed suit In January
1979 against the owners of the bankrupt facility
to force site cleanup. Estimated cost of total
cleanup was $10-15 million, and was projected to
take at least three years.
On April 21, 1980, fire erupted at the site
spewing clouds of toxic smoke over the waterfront
section and forcing the shutdown of area schools and
factories. Eight firemen were Injured, one seriously,
and a resident was treated for respiratory problems.
Residents were advised to stay Inside until fumes
subsided. A major catastrophe was narrowly averted
due to winds which blew the toxic clouds away from
heavily populated areas.
chemical wastes
fire, explosion
surface water
air, soiI
human health
151
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Mantua, New Jersey
The UParl Landfill In Mantua, New Jersey
accepted chemical wastes from several producers
Including Rohm and Haas and Owens-Illinois*
Chemical leachate wa entering a nearby stream, and
fish kills were reported. The site was closed In
1970. A suit filed by the State for cleanup was In
litigation for years. On March 21, 1980 Federal
suit was filed.
toxic organ Ics
ground & surface
water
flshkllls
Wins low, New Jersey
In 1972, four residental wells In WInslow,
N.J. were closed due to contamination by phenols.
A large manufacturer of pipe was Identified as the
source of the phenols. To remedy the situation,
the company drained their disposal lagoons and
constructed new lined lagoons. Nothing was
done to restore the aquifer.
phenols
drinking water wells
152
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Bergen County, New Jersey
For 40 years, a company manufactured a
wide variety of mercury compounds at a location
near the Hackensack Meadowlands In Bergen County,
New Jersey. In 1974, after the manufacturing plant
had been demolished, It became evident that the plant
property was used as a dump for mercury wastes. High
concentrations of mercury were detected In the soil.
It Is estimated that approximately 200,000 pounds of
mercury were disposed at the plant site. Testing of
surface waters at the adjacent Hackensack Meadowlands Is
currently underway to determine the environmental Impact
of this Incident and other suspected cases of Indiscriminate
dumping in this area.
mercury,so 11
surface waters
South Brunswick, New Jersey
Local residents began complaining in 1975 about
water contamination in the area of the Jones Industrial
Services Landfill. This site has accepted all types
of chemical wastes, and significant amounts of organic
chemicals were detected in six nearby wells. The State
ordered the site closed. Damage to the aquifer Is es-
timated at $300,000. A lawsuit filed by local residents
was settled out of court for $10,000.
organ Ics
drinking water
we I Is
153
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Bridgeport, New Jersey
Bridgeport Rental and Oil Service is a
29 acre site which contains an 11 acre unlined lagoon
with unknown quantities of waste oil and approximately 50
lined storage tanks with a total volume of greater than
4.5 million gallons of unknown chemicals. The waste oil
contains over 40 Clean Water Act "priority" pollutants.
The site is located adjacent to Cedar Swamp. The water
table is less than 5 feet below the surface although no
public wells are located in the area. The water table layer
of the aquifer is already contaminated and the deeper layer
is threatened. The area Is sparsely populated, but Chester,
Pennsylvania is less than 2 miles downstream.
Newfield, New Jersey
The site is approximately 23 acres is
located on property owned by the Shieldalloy
Corporation. In 1970 the facility was closed
down by the State Health Department because
chromium wastes from the firms unlined lagoon
forced the closing of private water wells in
the area. Shieldalloy was required to suspend
the process which produced the chromium wastes
and replace the contaminated wells.
waste oils
unknown
chemicals
ground water
chromium
drinking water
we I Is
154
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Plumstead Township (Ocean County), New Jersey
The Thiokol Corporation Dump has an unknown
quantity of drums containing mercaptans, spent
solvents and resins, which were dumped and buried
over a two acre clearing in the Pine Barrens by
Thiokol from the late 60's to early 70's. No
waste records are available, but as many as 5000
cubic yards of wastes may have been dumped. Depth
to groundwater is estimated at 15 to 20 feet, and
private wells are located within 3/4 miles of the site.
Surface water runs within 1000 feet of the site, but no
analytical data on it is available. The site is
located in a fairly remote rural setting, but
dirt bike trails were observed in the area. No
site barriers or waste management practices
of any kind are evident.
Jackson Township, New Jersey
Formerly a sandpit, this 5 acre
site received thousands of drums of
phenolic and other organic wastes between
August and December of 1971. Leaching
from the site has resulted in the permanent
loss of 148 private supply wells and
contamination of an unknown portion of the
Cohansey Aquifer. The area has been partially
excavated for. removal of the drums, but
many buried drums of waste are thought to remain.
155
chemical drums
surface water
toxic organics
drinking water wells
-------
Howe11 Township, New Jersey
Odor complaints from nearby residents
were first recorded by Howe 11 Township
Health Officers In December 1974. 55-gallon
drums had been opened and either poured directly
on the ground or dumped In open pits. Chemical
leachate now entered a nearby brook. To-date no
action has been taken to cleanup the site.
toxic substances
ground & surface water
Deptford Township, New Jersey
This site Is approximately 35 acres and
Is located adjacent to a RCA Corporation
Distribution Center. The Inactive site Is covered
to a large extent with grass but leachate is
never the less produced at sufficient rates to
pollute adjacent Big Timber Creek. Chemical
analyses are planned to determine the compostI on
of the leachate.
Ieachate
surface water
156
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Kearny, New Jersey
Meadowlands Sanitary Landfill is a 70
acre currently inactive landfill which allegedly
contains unknown quantity and variety of municipal and
industrial solid and liquid wastes. Elevated
approximately 100 feet over the surrounding flatlands,
the fill contains over 11 million cubic yards of
mixed soil and municipal and industrial refuse.
Located in a sparsely-populated residential area
adjacent to a marshland draining into the Passaic
River, the site generates large streams of leachate
and high concentrations of methane gas. The nearest
drinking water well is within a mile of the site.
Monitoring wells and a leachate collection and
recirculation system have been installed. No
site security or waste records exist.
methane gas
drinking water
well
157
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Pemberton Township, New Jersey
Pemberton Township Landfill is located near
the Lebanon State Forest in eastern Burlington
County, New Jersey. It consists of about 20
acres, two of which are actively being filled,
while the remainder is covered with coarse local
sand. The on-site operator claimed that no
chemical wastes were ever accepted, but several
full steel drums exposed by erosion were noticed
during a site inspection. A residential well just
below this site has been condemned due to organic
contamination. Many acres of blueberries and
cranberries are located less than 1/2 mile down
stream from this site.
organic contamination
drinking water well
Hillsborough Township, New Jersey
This dump is located in Hillsborough Township
in Somerset County. It is two arces in size and is
located on a very steep terrain. Several hundred barrels
were reportedly dumped here and leachate analysis by the
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has
identified high concentrations of toluene, chloroform,
ethylbenzene, and carbon tetrachloride. Several high
volume leachate plumes break from the base of the steep
slope and drain into the flaritan River. Although the site
is posted, it is still used by hunters.
toluene, chloroform
ethylbenzene
158
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South Brunswick (Middlesex County), New Jersey
This Is the Princeton Disposal Service, Inc.
site, owned by Browning Ferris Industries, located pesticides.
In a suburban residential neighborhood. It was active chlorinated
from 1970 until closure in 1978 by administrative order. hydrocarbons
This resulted from a number of deficiencies and groundwater surface water
degradation as well as lack of further fill capacity.
Under the site area Is the old bridge - Farrington Aquifer.
Contamination of surface water was reported in 1975.
Contamination of groundwater was reported in 1976
(elevated COD and heavy metals). This area is severely
eroded with visible damage to vegetation. Strong
chemical leachate is observed. Tons of pesticides
and other chlorinated hydrocarbons were known to
have been dumped here. There Is no site security.
Wall Township, New Jersey
Monitor Devices is a very small printed
circuit manufacturer, located In an Industrial
area adjacent to Monmouth Airport In Wall Township,
N.J. For a number of years, this firm has been
discharging Its electroplating rinse waters
directly out the back of the plant and allowing
them to flow down the street. Since being reported
to the U.S. EPA, a small dike was built to pond
water behind the plant and EPA Region II personnel
have advised the owner of his NPDES responsibilities,
159
electroplating
waste waters
-------
Garfield, New Jersey, 1971
Leaching from the industrial waste
lagoons contaminated the groundwater and
an industrial well in Garfield, New Jersey.
Fairfield (Essex County)
In the 1940's metals originating
from electroplating disposal lagoons
contaminated industrial and public water
supply wells.
Manville, New Jersey
According to State officials dust
from an open asbestos dump operated by a
major pipe manufacturer is a threat to
public health. State environmental
agency attempts to have the owner cover
wastes with soil had been unsuccessful
as of January 31, 1979.
Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Ammonia and mercury laden wastes spilled
or leaked from a chemical plant contaminated
three industrial supply wells with a combined
production rate of over 4,000,000 gallons/day.
Since the problem's discovery in 1971, the plant
has discontinued its mercuric waste stream;
the groundwater quality problem remains.
toxic substances
groundwater
heavy metals
drinking water wells
asbestos
land, air
ammonia, mercury
groundwater
160
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Neshanic Station, New Jersey
In June 1968, five members of a farm
family became ill after drinking well water.
The water was contaminated with Lindane 20,
an extremely toxic insecticide. The disposal
of any empty pesticide container near the well
was the source of the contamination.
Middletown Township, New Jersey
In 1973, 60,000 gallons of chemical liquid,
including crankcase oil and petroleum wastes,
spilled on the ground at the Martee Landfill
in Middletown Township. Dead fish and the
destruction of other aquatic life alerted
N.J. environmental officials to the problem.
State and local officials undertook cleanup
actions.
Lindane 20
well water
petroleum wastes
aquatic life
Bridgewater Township, New Jersey
During the 1960's the Ortho Pharmaceutical
Company discharged about 1000 gallons of volatile
liquid organic wastes per week into unlined
subsurface disposal beds. The wastes traveled
one mile underground and polluted a nearby
stream. The operation was discontinued in
1968, and all remaining wastes in the beds were
removed. Polluted groundwater was not restored.
organic wastes
surface & groundwaters
161
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New Brunswick, New Jersey
The A to Z Chemical Company has
been storing drums containing chemical
wastes since July of 1977. Many of the
8,000 drums on the property are leaking
or improperly sealed. Labels on seme of
the drums indicate their contents to
include solvents, monomer resins, and other
flammable and non-flammable liquids and
solids. As of March 1980, there are no
plans for waste removal and the State has
barely begun testing the chemicals.
toxic substances
flammable waste
groundwater
Winslow Township, New Jersey
The King of Prussia site is located
in the southern corner of Winslow
Township. It is an abandoned 80-acre
liquid chemical waste facility with
several lagoons. Linings of lagoons are
now deteriorated. There is a large
area of dead trees on the southeastern
part of the property. The site is
situated directly above the Cohansey
aquifer. Groundwater movement is in a
southeasterly direction towards the great
Egg Harbor River. To-date no action has
been taken to cleanup the site.
toxic substances
ground & surface water
dead vegetation
162
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Woodland Township, New Jersey
Between the early 1950's and early
1960's two chemical durtp sites were
operated by 3M, Rohm & Haas, and Hercules.
During that time numerous 55-gallon drums
containing unknown chemicals were either
burned or buried on site. The sites are
located in rural area of NJ and are close to
streams which drain into cranberry bogs.
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection analysis indicate high levels
of phenols, toluene, and cresole. To-date
nothing has been done to clean up the site.
Pemberton Township, New Jersey
Approximately 1500 55-gallon drums were
dumped on the Lang property prior to 1975.
The drums were punctured and emptied onto
the ground, then hauled away to an unknown
area. No soil or water has been removed from
the site. The site is in a very rural area and
bounded by small streams that flow periodically
on the East and North sides. Contamination is
not thought to pose an inminent & substantial
endangerment to health or the environment.
toxic organics
ground & surface waters
vegetation damage
unknown wastes
163
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Dayton - South Brunswick (Middlesex County), New Jersey
This is an active generator - on - site facility
known as Mideast Aluminum Industries, Inc. There are 7
lagoons or ponds on site, 4 of which are now closed,
while 3 are lined. The capacity of each is between
500,000 and l',000,000 gallons. The main problem is
the accumulation of aluminum sludge. There is also
possibility of aquifer contamination. There was a
large trichloroethane solvent spill in 1977.
aluminum sludge
possibility of
aquifer contamination
Wharton (Morris County), New Jersey
The on-site generator is identified as I.E.
Carpenter Co., a manufacturer of vinyl coated
wall and floor coverings. The company handles
many chemicals, such as vinylene, xylene,
naphthalene, plasticizers, placing residues in
drums (most of the time) prior to burial. There
is groundwater contamination showing presence of
phthalate esters, xylene, oil and grease. Municipal
water supply wells are in the vicinity, one being 3/4
mile downstream. There is surface run-off of chemicals
into the Rockaway River less than 150 feet away.
Observed along the river bank is discolored standing
water, discolored silt as well as discolored roots,.
flora and tree stumps. Inspection found badly
contaminated water in the plant's storage tank. There
is evidence of ample pollution on and near this site.
vinylene, xylene,
naphthalene,
phthalate esters,
oil and grease.
groundwater
contamination
164
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Monroe Township, New Jersey
Princetion Disposal (B.F.I.) is an
inactive,improperly closed site which
generates leachate streams adjacent to
a new housing development, where the
homes have private wells. An adminis-
trative order has been served requiring
B.F.I, to correct the problem by adequate
analysis, diversion ditches, adequate
cover, and leachate disposal and treatment.
groundwater &
well contamination
Pleasantville, New Jersey
The Prince Dump accepted large
quantities of chemical waste prior to
1973. Nearby residents reported seeing
5500 gallon tank trucks dump chemical
waste 4-6 times daily. The nearest private
well is 150 feet away and the Atlantic City
well fields are 4,000 feet from the site.
To-date no action has been taken to cleanup
the site.
toxic substances
ground water
165
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Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Earlton Sanitary Landfill is an
approximately 10 acre site in Cherry
Hill, Camden County, New Jersey.
Although dumping in this old gravel
pit ceased some 10 to 15 years ago,
substantial quantities of methane
are still being generated. Wells in
this area have been contaminated with
trichlorobenzene and the nearby residences
have been placed on city water. Monitoring
wells, located along the east side, have a
strong organic odor and show groundwater
at a depth of 10 to 15 feet. This site
has been converted to a park and in places,
the silt loam capping has been eroded away
by dirt bike use.
methane gas
water well
organic odors
Camden, New Jersey
The Harrison Avenue landfill is located in
an abandoned gravel pit bordering the Delaware TCE
River just north of Camden, New Jersey. The site water wells
was active until 1976 and supposedly accepted only
municipal trash. Contamination of a nearby well
by TCE indicates that hazardous materials were
probably dumped as well. Leachate from the site runs
a direct path over tidal mudflats to the Delaware.
The site has a large residential population nearby.
166
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Monmouth County, New Jersey
Seaview Square is a two-story shopping mall
\
built in part, on an inactive landfill in eastern
Monmouth County, N.J. The portion of this site not
covered by the mall and its parking lots comprises
some 25 acres. Only coarse local soil materials
cover this area, and wind and water erosion is
judged extreme. Small, strongly smelling leachate
plumes were seen breaking through the parking lot
pavement and a large plume emptied from beneath
the parking lot into an unnamed tributary of
Deal Lake. All parts of this site are readily
accessible to the public.
Kearny, New Jersey
The Kearny Chemical Dump is located
in Hackensack River marshlands between Kearny
and North Arlington in Essex County. It
consists of about 2 acres of filled fly ash
and chromium wastes. Several drums dumped here
were sampled by state personnel and analysis
results are pending. Construction and industrial
refuse is scattered along the water's edge and
the ground is stained in many areas. Dirt
bike tracks indicate occasional recreational
use of the site.
leachate plumes
surface water
chromium wastes
recreational use
167
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Kearny, New Jersey
Formerly the location of a chromium
reprocessing plant operated by Diamond
Shamrock, this site totals approximately
15 acres. Waste chromium sludges were
mixed with soot-ash, iron salts and lime,
and dumped to depths of 5 to 10 feet over
approximately 5 acres of the site. It is
estimated that 40-80 thousand cubic yards
of these chromium wastes were dumped here.
Sampling and analysis by New Jersey Depart-
ment of Environmental Protection detected
60,000 ppm Cr in soil (1500 ppm hexavalent)
and 300 ppm in leachate which drains to the
Hackensack River. The water table is very
shallow at this site, within 5-10 feet of
the surface, and sinkholes have developed.
Toms River, New Jersey
The Toms River Chemical Company
manufacturer of synthetic organic dyestuffs
and epoxy resins is all edged to have disposed
of many of its chemical wastes in several on-
site landfills. The chemical wastes are believed
to be contaminating the underlying drinking water
aquifer. Site investigations are still underway.
chromium, surface
water
organic dyestuffs
drinking water
aquifer
168
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Mantua Township, New Jersey
This landfill, currently owned and operated
by He/I en .M. Kramer, covers an area of about 60
acres and is roughly 40 feet thick. At present,
the landfill accepts primarily municipal waste,
sewage and sewage sludge, and non-chemical
industrial waste. In the past, the landfill has
accepted various other types of industrial chemical
waste including hazardous waste. To the north and
west of the site are cultivated fields, while to
the southeast is a housing development. Directly
east of the landfill 1s Edward's Run Creek which
directly accepts leachate. State analyses of
groundwater under the site have verified
contamination of the water beyond potable water
standards. Several Isolated homes adjacent to
the site probably use well water.
housing development
well water
leachate
169
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Trenton, New Jersey
This 1.5 acre site was purchased by
Delaval Corp. from the H.K. Poter Co., a
brake and clutch manufacturer. Over a number
of years, Porter dumped asbestos and mercury
v
laden wastes on this site. Today, runoff and
leachate from this barren, uncapped site
carry asbestos and other contaminants into
Assunpink Creek. The site is only partially fenced
and quite close to a residential area. Use of this
site by dirt bike riders likely increases an
already high amount of airborne asbestos.
Ringwood Boro, New Jersey
The Ringwood Iron Mines consist of 12 iron
mine shafts and open pits which were commercially
active in the late 1800's. As late as 1967, Ford
Motor Co. used the abandoned shafts and pits to
dump unknown quantities of spent paint solvents
and sludges. The local Solid Waste Authority
has added municipal garbage and ink in recent
years. Groundwater and bedrock are less than 5
feet below the surface site. Residences are
located adjacent to and on top of the dump areas.
Little or no analytical data exists documenting
possible contamination of potable water supplies.
No site barriers exist.
mercury
surface water
paint solvents
& sludges
169 a
-------
Bellmawr Boro, New Jersey
The Fazio Landfill is a 50 acre inactive
site located on a mudflat of the Little Timber
Creek near the junction of Routes 42 and 295
in Camden County. Wastes range from municipal
trash and sewage sludge to dyes and other
industrial chemicals. A residential area and a
public well field are within 1000 feet of the
site. The facility is currently under review
for an extension of its landfill permit.
industrial
chemicals
surface water
Mt. Holly, New Jersey
The Landfill and Development Company
operates a 20 acre landfill on the banks
of Rancocos Creek and adjacent to several
housing developments. Private water wells
in the area, contaminated with organic
chemicals, have been replaced by a deep-well
and water system at the cost of the Landfill
and Development Company. The state required
the company to install a liner at the fill and
a groundwater pumping and treatment system to
control the spread of contaminants but the
effectiveness of the system is questionable.
Groundwater analysis reveals dichloroethylene,
trichloroethylene and traces of BHC, dieldrin,
endrine, chloroform, and carbon textrachloride
organic chemicals
drinking water wells
170
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Marlboro Township (Monmouth County), New Jersey
Burnt Fly Bog is an abandoned oil recovery landfill oil, tar, PCB's
approximately 1/2 mile long and 1/4 mile wide. The aquifer
whole sit is about 160 acres. Allegedly chemicals were endangered
dumped into sandy lagoons until the mid 60'a. Dikes
surrounding the lagoons are eroded and breeched in
several places. The site is devoid of vegetation.
Some 300 hundred drums, in various states of decay are
visible. The contents, if any, is unknown. There are
many oily water pools on the site. There are residences
and private water wells nearby. Underlying the bog is an
outcrop of the Englishtown Sand Aquifer. PCB's have been
identified at the site. The sediment analysis shows a
concentration of 20 ppm, but no PCB was found in water.
Other chemicals are suspected.
171
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Trenton, New Jersey
The Duck Island Landfill Is a 56 acre exploding drums
damaged vegetation
abandoned fill, located in a fairly remote
industrial area south of Trenton, New Jersey
on the Delaware River floodplaln. It is
adjacent to county parkland and a wetland
which may possibly support nesting eagle
populations. No records of waste quantities
or types exist, and no sampling or chemical
analyses have been performed for the site.
Exploding drums of waste were observed during
a landfill fire in the late 60's. Erosion,
leachate migration, and damaged vegetation
have been observed. There are no drinking
water wells in the area. There are no site
barriers and extensive open dumping of miscellaneous
debris has occurred here.
172
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Freehold, New Jersey
The Lone Pine landfill has been
accepting waste materials of all types
since 1967. Large numbers of illegally
deposited chemical drums were found on
the site. The drums contained unaccept-
able amounts of certain toxic substances.
A chemical fire occurred at the landfill
on June 23, 1978, which severely disrupted
landfill operations and caused large amounts
of liquid waste materials to flow off-site.
The problem still has not been remedied as
of April 1980.
toxic organics
ground & surface water
chemical fire
173
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NEW MEXICO
Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1970
Threee children of a local family
became seriously ill after eating a pig
that had been fed corn treated with
a mercury compound. Local health
officials found several bags of
similarly treated corn in a community
dump.
mercury
human health
174
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NEW YORK
Warwick, New York 1979
A judge temporarily closed a local
landfill that had been accepting chemical
wastes, and ordered Grace Disposal and
Leasing Ltd., the landfill's owners to show
cause why It shouldn't be closed permanently.
Leachate leaking from the landfill entered
Greenwood Lake, which supplies water for a
reservoir serving Newark and a dozen other
New Jersey communities. No contaminats
were found offsite by EPA.
toxic substances
surface waters
West Glen Fa I Is/Queensbury, New York
Authorities stated that they fear
polychlorinated blphenyls may be entering
homes on a lot formerly used to recycle
heat retardant capacitors. The RGB's may
have caused a local lack of vegetation; no
health effects have been discovered. The
State paid for cleanup.
RGB's
land
New York City (Queens County), New York
In the early 1970's a trucking firm
was regularly disposing of chromium and
zinc-containing sludge In a private dump
in a swampy area. The sludge has contaminated
the groundwater.
heavy metals
surface & ground
water
175
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Saratoga County, New York
Several sites in Saratoga and Washington
countries were found to have received PCB
materials in the form of capacitators,rolled
dielectric paper, and waste liquids. Although
the health department had not declared any of
the sites a public health hazard or a public
health nuisance some people have suffered
chloracne and possible PCB poisoning; the town
supervisor advised the nearest residents to
vacate their homes.
Cold Spring, New York, 1953-1959
Wastes from a nickel-cadmium battery
plant polluted a marshy area, which leads into
the Hudson River. Tides are slowly flushing
cadmium into the Hudson, threatening fish as
well as a bird sanctuary at the mouth of the
cove. According to the New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation, no
efforts have been made to remove the cadmium
from the cove.
PCB's
human health
cadmium
surface waters
organics
surface water
Delaware County, New York, 1974
An unknown amount of organic tarlike
residue from acid manufacture washed into the
West Branch of the Delaware River from a waste
lagoon at an abandoned plant.
176
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Big Flats (Chenung County), New York
In the 1960's Agway, Inc. dumped waste
nitrate materials from its fertilizer plant
into a lagoon. The lagoon discharged nitrates
into surrounding soil, and then into water.
Approximately twenty domestic wells had
nitrate levels above 100 ppm and were unusable
for drinking. Families had to drink bottled
water until a public water supply line became
available for most residents.
nitrate
ground & surface
water
Glenn Falls, New York
The Caputo PCB disposal site near South
Glenn Falls, N.Y. is emitting vapors
containing significant concentrations of
PCB's. High PCB concentrations were detected
ranging from 0.05 ug/m3 - 3ug/m3 in the winter
of 1977 and up to 300 ug/m3 in the sunnier of
1978. The National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that
PCB's in the work room environment should be
less than 1.0 ug/m3. It is possible these
volatizing conditions may have existed since
1960. The site has been capped since April,
1979.
PCB's
air
177
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Hudson River, New York
In 1974 striped bass in the Hudson River
were found to contain PCB's at 70 times the
FEA limit. An estimated one-half million
pounds of PCB's are in the river sediment,
with General Electric plants in Hudson Falls
and Fort Edward the major sources. In 1976 GE
agreed to contribute $3,000,000 towards
cleanup with the state matching that amount.
Later studies indicating dredging of "hot
spots" would cost $25,000,000 and a full
cleanup $204,000,000. The State has requested
Fed. assistance.
PCB's
surface water
Middleport, Niagara County, New York, 1975
The FMC corporation dumped one of its
pesticides (Carbofuran) into a lagoon used for
storing high-pH ammonia containing wastes.
Djcks and geese, which normally use the lagoon
without incident during migration were killed
by the Carbofuran.
pesticides
ducks, geese
Niagara Falls, New York
The Hyde Park landfill is situated in the
extreme northwest corner of the City of
Niagara, New York. The 15 acre landfill is
triangular in shape and contains two drainage
organics,
pesticides
air, ground &
surface water
178
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ditches which empty into Bloody Run, a
tributary of the Niagara River. From 1953 to
1975 the Hooker Chemical Company disposed of
84,000 tons of hazardous wastes containing
hexachlorocyclopentadiene derivatives, chlor-
endic acid (a thiodan precursor), Mirex,
Lindane derivatives, Badosulfan and at least
21 other organic and inorganic chemical
wastes.
Dioxin, benzene hexachoride (BHC), tetra-
chloroethylene, trichloroethylene, benzene,
hexachlorobenzene (BHC) tetrachlorobenzene,
chlorobenzene, and phenol have been detected
migrating from the landfill at levels where
contact with the chemicals would adversely
affect human health. The first six of these
chemicals are carcinogenic. The remainder are
highly toxic, causing liver and kidney damage
as well as central nervous system disorders.
It is estimated to cost $6,080,000 in
remedial actions to clean this site. A
federal suit has been filed against Hooker
Chemical Corporation.
179
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Niagara Falls New York
The Love Canal landfill is located in the
southeast corner of the City of Niagara Falls,
New York. The landfill consists of two
70-foot stripe of land abutting on either side
of a 60-foot canal. From 1942 to 1952 Backer
Chemical Corporation disposed of 21,800 tons
of hazardous wastes containing dioxin and
hexachlorobenzene, as well as other toxic
organic and inorganic wastes, at the Love
Canal site. Dioxin, tetrachloroethylene,
chloroform, dichloroethane, benzene
hexachloride, hexachlorobutadiene and
dichlorobenzene, all carcinogens, as well as
trichloroethylene, toluene and phenol have
been found to have migrated from the landfill
in levels sufficient to adversely affect human
health.
239 homes and a grammar school were built
on land around the canal. Three storm sewers
underlie the immediate area of the Love Canal
landfill and ultimately flow into Black Creek,
a tributary of the Niagara River. E&zardous
amounts of the above substances have been
found in the sediments and waters of Black
Creek.
organics,
pesticides
air, ground &
surface waters
180
-------
It is estimated that it will cost
$45,000,00 in remedial actions to clean the
site. Suit has been filed in District Court
against Hooker Chemical Corporation by the
United States for these measures. EPA awarded
a $4 million grant to the State to use at the
site. Site remedial action has been taken.
Niagara Falls, New York
The 102nd St. site is a 21 acre landill
which borders on the Niagara River and is
surrounded by private homes, parks and
productive wetlands. The City of Niagara
Falls uses the Niagara River as a drinking
water source. From the early 1940's to 1972
Hooker Chemical Corporation and the Olin
Corporation disposed of 23,500 tons and 66,000
tons of hazardous wastes on the site,
respectively. These wastes consisted of
Lindane, as well as other organic and
inorganic hazardous materials. Lindane, a
carcinogenic pesticide, and tetrachlorobenzene
and phenol, both higly toxic, have been found
to have migrated from the disposal site.
It is estimated to cost $16,500,000 in
remedial measures to clean the site. Suit has
been brought in District Court against Hooker
Chemical Corporation and the Olin Corporation
by the United States for these measures.
181
organics,
pesticides
ground & surface
waters
-------
Niagara Falls, new York
The "S" area landfill is a 4-acre site in
the south central section of Niagara
Falls, New York, it is land which has been
reclaimed from the Niagara River by filling
with cinders, stone, slag, dirt and
carborundum abrasives. Between 19^7 and 1975
Hooker Chemical Corporation disposed of 70,400
tons of hazardous materials at the "S"
landfill. These materials included
endosulfan, benzene hexachloride, as well as
other organic and inorganic hazardous waste.
Tetrachloroethylene, hexachloride, all
carcinogens, have been detected migrating from
the land fill as evidenced by their presence
in the public drinking water supply waters.
It is estimated that it will take
$50,000,000 in remedial measures to clean this
site. Suit has been filed in the District
Court against Hooker Chemical Corporation to
obtain these measures.
organic, pesticides,
drinking water
182
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Clean, New York
Between 1966 and 1972, spills, pipe leaks
and dumping by C.F. Insustrles at their Olean,
N.Y. site caused surface and ground water
contamination. The company was ordered to
clean up the site, and pumping and treatment
operations to reduce the nitrate concentrations
In the groundwater began In 1972.
ground & surface
water
Huntlngton (Suffolk County), New York, 1978
The Suffolk County Health Department
discovered pollution In two Industrial wells
across the road from the Huntlngton town
dump. The ground water had become contaminated
with chlorides, sodium, manganese and Iron;
methane gas was discovered In 1976 and 1977,
and In 1978 reached a 62 percent level In one
of the four test wells. Residents of two
nearby homes also complained that their water
tasted so bad as to be undrlnkable.
methane gas, sodium
chlorides
ground water
IsMp (Suffolk County), New York, 1978
Hlckey's Carting allegedly dumped
chemicals containing an estimated 4,000 gallons
of the Industrial cleaner trlchloethylene In
the town dump. Trlchloroethylene has been found
In numerous wells throughout the area.
TCE
drinking water wells
183
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Onondaga County, New York
Allied Chemical discharged about
25 pounds per day of mercury to Onondaga
Lake. Mercury levels in fish exceed FDA
levels. Allied has sought to remedy the
situation, but the lake Is still contaminated
and fishing is still banned.
mercury
surface water,
food chain
South FarmIngdale, New York
Plating wastes from aircraft manufacture
during World War II were discharged into seepage
pits and lagoons in South Farmingdale.
Metallic ions leached from the plating wastes,
contaminated a shallow water table aquifer
Long Island, a designated sole source aquifer.
The polluter, Liberty Aircraft Is now out of
business.
heavy metals
ground water
Saratoga County, New York
The New York State Department of Health
has declared the Palmer site In the town of
Stillwater a public health hazard. The site
received waste materials from General Electric
at Waterford, which manufactures si Iicone
products. Elevated levels of metals,
benzene and toluene have been found in leachate
samples. Adjacent property owners have complained
of skin rashes and various illnesses.
184
metals, benzene,
toIuene
human health
-------
Cattaraugus County, New York
Chromium-bearing plating wastes were
dumped in a pit in 1968 at the Vanderhorst
Company. Chromium leached from the site into
groundwater and contaminated an industrial
cooling well.
chromi urn
groundwater
Babylon, Suffolk County
Leachate has steadily entered the shallow
aquifer providing water supply to the residents
and formed a plume two miles long, one-half mile
wide, and 70 feet thick, from a landfill operated
since 1947- Groundwater is the only source of
drinking water on Long Island.
groundwater
Oswego, New York
Seventy-five hundred drums of chemical wastes
of unknown composition are stored at the Pollution
Abatement Services, Inc. site. An equal number of
drums is stored in an abandoned milk plant in the
Town of Mexico. Wastes have overflowed dikes at the
Oswego site killing vegetation in an adjacent wetland.
The State of New York has appropriated $750,000 for
remedial work at the site. Bids for the cleanup were
far above the amount of money available. S.C.A. Services
disposal company has removed about 1200 barrels from the
abandoned milk plant.
185
toxic substances
land, surface water
-------
Pendleton (Niagra County) New York
The site, known as Quarry Lake with
a surface area of 22 acres, belongs to
Frontier Chemical Waste Process Inc. The
lake is some 15 feet deep. A 3 to 6 foot high
berm surrounds the entire lake to prevent
accidental wastewater discharge into nearby Bull
Creek and wetlands adjacent to the site. There
are a number of heavy metals in solution in this
lake and its pH is about 3. Wastewaters from the
site will be treated before discharge. There is the
possibility of overflow. The site has been inactive
since 1976.
heavy metals in solution
possibility of overflow
186
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Bethpage/Hicksville, New York
For 19 years, Hooker Chemical pumped
approximately 2 million gallons a year of
waste water containing carcinogenic vinyl
chloride into several nearby sumps. Fourteen
wells in the Magothy aquifer, including five
public supply wells serving 100,000 customers,
are contaminated by industrial organic wastes.
Hooker stated that it had stopped dumping
wastewater in 1974.
West Nyack, New York
In 1978, sixteen private wells in West
Nyack had to be closed due to contamination
by trichloroethylene. Various industries
within one mile of the site used the
chemical, but the source of contamination
could not be determined. The Spring Valley
Water Company is supplying water to the
affected residents. The aquifer has not
been restored.
Glen Cove, New York
In 1977-78, five of the eight public
water supply wells for Glen Cove, Long Island
were closed after high levels of chlorinated
organic compounds were discovered. The source
of the contamination could not be located.
i
The USEPA has funded a pilot water treatment
plant for Nassau County.
187
orgamcs
groundwater
drinking water wells
trichloroethylene (TCE)
drinking water wells
organics
drinking water wells
-------
Staten Island (Richmond Cdunty), New York
The Federal Government learned of this site
in December 1978 when the U.S. Coast Guard
investigated an oil sludge spill into Neck Creek
adjacent to this 5 acre site. It is operated by
Chelsea Terminal, formerly known as Positive
Chemicals. Throughout 1979, until its closure
ordered by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation, the operators have
accumulated a great quantity of chemicals and
waste oils in 55-gallon drums, semi-trailers,
semi-tankwagons and 1n the tank farm (nine 90,000
gallon above ground tanks, located In the center
of the facility). Many hazardous, flammable
and incompatible wastes on this site are now
being identified, separated, sold and removed.
Private residences are located within 1/4 mile.
hazardous,
flammable,
Incompatible
wastes
188
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Wheatfield (Niagara County) New York
This is a 50 acre site. It is owned
by Niagara County Refuse Disposal District hazardous chemicals
and known as Wheatfield Landfill. Hazardous leachates, sites subject
chemicals were deposited on site from 1968 to flooding
through 1976, when it was closed. Among the
chemical manufacturers using this landfill were:
Hooker-Durez (oil and grease, phenolic resins),
E.J. DuPont denemous (off-grade polyvinyl alcohol),
Olin (lime and brine sludge with mercury),
Goodyear (PVC skins, PVC emulsions, PVC floor-
sweepings, thiazole polymers). Hooker of Niagara
Falls disposed hypo mud, soil and chemical wastes
from the southern section of Love Canal. There
are residences in the immediate vicinity of
the landfill. The Niagara River is less than
0.5 miles away. The site is subject to flooding
and there is leachate run-off, leachate
contamination, odors and insufficient cover.
189
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Sardinia (Erie County), New York
This 50 acre site is privately owned and has
been active for at least 25 years. It is known as
Chaffee Landfill, formerly Sardinia Sanitary Landfill,
and handles residential, commercial and industrial wastes.
There are allegations of midnight dumping. Leachate from
the site shows the presence of a number of pesticides.
Private wells in the vicinity and in private residences do
not show any substantial contamination. A fish kill was
reported. Hosmer Creek flows nearby. Currently the most
important problem is the improper cover.
pesticides,
leachate
190
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Ifemapo (Pockland County), New York
nils is a 45 acre active municipal
landfill, known as Ttorne Valley RCA and also
as Bamapo Sanitary Landfill. It accepts mixed
minicipal waste, but also previously accepted
(cosmetic) sludge from Avon. Midnight dumping
has been observed. Erosion is of some
concern. Leachate is bleeding into
groundwater near new wells constructed by the
Spring Valley Water Supply Gonpany. Official
concern is that substances, such as mercury,
selenium, cadmium and lead found in wastes may
reach the well water and also surface waters
supplying Northern New Jersey.
leachate
possible surface
and groundwater
contamination
191
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Johnston (Fulton County), New York
The Johnston Landfill is an active
68 acre "sanitary" landfill which received
tannery waste sludge (from local tanneries)
high in chromium and other metals up to
1977. Leachate has contaminated a creek
and is affecting 3 private wells.
leachate
well contamination
fish kill
Hamlet is Narrowburg, Town of Tunsten
(Sullivan County), New York
This is a 7 acre active site, 11 years old.
It is known as Tusten Landfill, formerly Cortese
The sites accepts municipal waste,
demolition and building debris. In the past, it
accepted drummed chemical waste, believed to bo
paint thinners and solvents. The drums are
severely weathered. There is concern that
leachate flow may reach the Delaware River
and one of the town's water supply wells.
The soil on site is permeable and there is ponding.
There is no cover on most the landfill. At present,
there are no health or environmental effects.
paint thinners,
solvents
leachate flow
192
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Rotterdam (Schenectady County), New York
Schenectady Chemical Co. is next to the
Mohawk River and stores drums of chemical
waste on a slab of black top. There is also
a sludge pond. A neighboring firm is finding
phenol in their water. The firm handles large
volumes of chemicals from tank cars, and
allegations of spills have been made. The
plant is close to the town well fields, but
there is no evidence of contamination.
chemical wastes
ground water &
soil contamination
Nassau (Rennselaer Country), New York
The Dewey-Loeffel Landfill was an oil
reclamation and oil storage and salvage
operation. The site has been inactive for
5 or more years. PCB oil was stored and
possibly spilled. Nassau Lake fish are
showing PCB levels. A nearby well has been
found to be contaminated with benzene.
PCB contaminat.ion
well & lake
193
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Syossett (nassau County), New York
The Syossett Landfill operated for 40 years
(until 1975) and accepted all types of waste in-
cluding chemical waste from Hooker Chemicals.
The site is in a suburban location on Nassau
County's primary ground water recharge area.
There is contamination of a deep well supplying
Jericho Water District. Test wells are being
installed to evaluate the problem.
chemical wastes
ground water
well contamination
Mechanicsville, (Saratoga County), New York
The Dyer Landfill site was a small ravine,
filled with bark from local lumber mills. The
site is full of leachate (due to a spring in the
ravine) which tends to overflow in the Spring.
The overflow has twice polluted one of two lakes
and a stream supplying the municipal water plant.
It is not capped, and the owner has not made any
recent corrections to preclude another overflow
and resultant contamination of the stream.
leachate
contamination
drinking water
reservoirs
194
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Oswego,.New York
The Volney Landfill Calso known as Oswego Valley
Sanitary Landfill) has 8000 drums of waste buried at
the site. Leachate contaminated with toxic chemicals
may pose a health threat to groundwater users in the
area. Six potable water wells have a trace of organic
chemicals. One of the wells has 10 ug/1 of benzene.
The owner of one of the wells is suing the County for
chemical contamination of their wells.
Oswego, New York
The Clothier Property Site (also known as Ox Creek
Site) has 500 drums of waste stored at the site. Leaks
from the drums, and leachate from the site may be
entering Ox Creek, a tributary of the Oswego River. The
City of Fulton public water supply well field is near
the Oswego River downstream from the mouth of Ox Creek.
The New York State Department of Health analyzed a soil
sample from the site and found 92 mg/kg of PCB's.
leachate,
benzene,
drinking
water wells,
leachate,
groundwater,
Public Water
Supply
195
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College Point, New York
(PCB Pool)
A lagoon of approximately 500,000 gallans
of waste oil, contaminated with PCB's in the
240,000 ppb range was found in an abandoned
field belonging to the New York City Dept. of
Real Property- The oil was probably dumped
illegally since the site is relatively open.
There is a hazard to children or anyone
wandering in the area. Chemical fires occured
at the site on February 15 and April 24, 1980.
An acceptable site for incineration or disposal
of the PCB's has not been found yet.
PCB contamination
of bay - danger
to public
Hicksville (Nassau County), New York
The Hooker Chemicals & Plastics, Co. is a vinyl chloride
manufacturer of many chemicals, including vinyl ground water,
chloride. Residue of vinyl chloride disposed of in well contamination,
open catch basins in sandy soil has infiltrated 14 sole source
wells at a neighboring plant which must bring in aquifer
potable water now. The plant is located on the
crest of a sole source aquifer. Potential for
contamination of other water sources in serious.
Tst wells are now being installed.
196
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NORTH CAROLINA
Kinston, North Carolina
Contaminated fertilizer from a Smith-Douglass
plant damaged 6,000 acres of tobacco in North and
South Carolina. Tordon, a herbicide manufactured
by Dow Chemical Co., was believed to be the
contaminant. Smith-Douglass shut down its plant
for an investigation of the contamination.
contaminated herbicide
crop damage
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (Kelly Road
Dump)
About 200 SB-gallon drums of^chemicals,
including acetone and possibly toluene were dumped
into a landfill. The chemicals may have migrated
into a nearby residential well. The State of
North Carolina spent $50,000 to clean up the site.
orgarii cs
drinking water well
197
-------
North Carolina, New Hanover County
Groundwater contamination resulting from
improper disposal at the New Hanover County
Landfill was shown to have contaminated 17 private
wells in the vicinity. Approximately twenty
additional private wells are subject to potential
contamination in the future. The County is
providing drinking water to residents with
impacted wells and other area residents whose
wells are potentially subject to contamination.
EPA is presently proceeding with court action
against the State, County, and operators of the
landfill. Monies have been expended by local,
State and Federal agencies. The county i-s
presently engaged in applying for HUD and State
funding to aid in deferring total costs of
supplying the impacted area with a water supply
system. Court action is pending.
industrial wastes
drinking water well
198
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Bowdin, North Carolina, 1971
Open dumping of pesticide containers resulted
In a fish kill in Bear Swamp Creek, Duplin County,
on July 6, 1971. Jugs of the insecticide, Mai-Dan
Tobacco Spray, were apparently dumped onto the
creek bank. Some of the jugs appeared to have
broken when they rolled into the creek, releasing
endosulfan, a chemical insecticidal agent.
pesticides
surface water, fish kill
Clinton, (Haywood County), North Carolina, $974-
Approximately one thousand gallons of
petroleum-based cleaning fluids were dumped at a
landfill and leaked into a tributary of Hominy
Creek'.. Cattle died'after"drinkin.g from the
polluted water. The town of Clinton compensated
the cattle owner and the waters were
decontaminated by surface skimming.
cleaning fluids
surface water, cattle
died
Holly Ridge, North Carolina
Approximately 900 drums of 2,4 dinitrophenol
are stored in a collapsed warehouse. Some of the
drums have burst and the material has spilled onto
the warehouse floor. The building is accessible
«
to children and the material can be absorbed
through the skin. The town of Holly Ridge and the
2,4 dinitrophenol
warehouse
199
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State of North Carolina have filed suit (public
nuisance) to get the owners to remove and
dispose the material properly. EPA is assisting
the State and local governments with affadavits.
The apparent owners are Renroh Inc., and
Continental Trading Company.
PCB Spill in North Carolina
Approximately 250 miles of North Carolina PCB's
highways were sprayed with PCB's. The State has soil
taken action against the suspects in the case.
EPA is assisting the State in cleanup and disposal
operations. Contaminated soil remains along roads
approximately 3 feet wide and 6 inches deep.
200
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OHIO
Negly, Ohio, June 1974
A citizen of Negly complained about the
spillage of hydrochloric acid, oil and other
wastes into Little Beaver Creek. The alleged
source of pollution was Ecological Service,
Inc., of East Palestine now owned by Browning
Ferris, Inc.
HCA
suface water
Monroe County, Ohio 1975
An aluminum plant grossly contaminated
the groundwater under its site with flourides,
high pH and other chemicals; the water was
also discolored. The source of contamination
is leachate from a used tailing pond and used
potline pits.
flourides,chemicals
groundwater
Lake County Ohio, 1971
A trucking firm that hauls bulk chemicals,
washes residues from a trailer into two lagoons
on its property. About 5,000 gallons of waste-
waters, including phenols, organic solvents,
phosphates and suspended solids, are washed
into the lagoon each day. By March 1971, wells
on adjacent property were contaminated; cattle
also refused to drink from a stream polluted
by effluent from the lagoons.
organics
ground & surface
waters
201
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Shawnee Lake, Ohio
On June 2, 1971, the U.S. EPA, at the request
of the State of Ohio, provided direct support In the pesticides
removal of Endrln (a highly toxic pesticide) which surface water
had been deliberately dumped Into a small lake near
Portsmouth, Ohio. EPA provided the expertise In design
and construction of an on-slte carbon adsorption
filter which treated the lake water and removed the
Endrln.
Summit National Liquid Services, Portage County, Ohio, 1979
A liquid industrial waste treatment and
disposal company Is located on an 11 acre site In MEK, toluene, latex
Portage County, Ohio. Currently, several thousand oil, mlrex
leaking barrels, a 300,000-galIon cracked and leaking fire hazard
concrete storage tank, and other vessels of varying ground water
sizes are being used to store wastes including acetone,
MEK, toluene, latex, oils, and mirex. Residents live
within 200 feet of the site. The site presents a fire
hazard as well as a source of soil and groundwater
contamination. Also present is the possible contamination
of drinking water In the reservoir. The site has been
closed since 1978 by order of Ohio EPA and is currently being
cleaned. Total cleanup and abatement costs are estimated
at over $2,000,000.
202
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Massillon, Ohio
The Tuscarawas River and shallow ground
water were contaminated as a result of induced
infiltration into the permeable sand and gravel
aquifer. When public water-supply wells became
contamiminated, the contamination was traced to the
discharge of by-products from an industrial
glass plant to the river. The problem developed
when the river was diverted to runover a more
permeable bed. The water supply wells near the
river induced infiltration of river water to the
wells. The industry shut down in 1977 as a
result of new state water-quality standards. New
sources of ground water are being sought away from
the river
chemical waste
public water
Laskin Green house and Waste Oil company, Jefferson, Ohio, 1979
Improper storage and disposal of PCB contaminated
oil. Facility accepted approximately one million
galloons per year of waste oil and solvents which they
store in tanks on the property before burning as fuel
in the boilers or spraying on roads in surrounding
countries. Department of Justice filed case at EPA
request on 4/24/79 seeking proper storage and disposal
of PCB contaminated oil. A consent decree is now
being worked out with the site owner.
PCB, waste oil
203
-------
Cleveland, Ohio
In July 1979, it was reported that
Chemical & Mineral Reclamation Inc. improperly
stored chemicals in two warehouses. A fire
department inspection uncovered thousands of
leaking chemical drums stored at the unsecured
site. A U.S. District Court ordered clean up
of the site and all drums were removed by
November, 1979.
mixed chemicals
hazard
Walton Hills, Ohio
In 1979, the Ohio Attorney General filed
a $45 million damage suit against the Dow
Chemical Co., BASF Wyandotte and Dow Chemical
of Canada. The suit charged illegal dumping
of mercury into Lake Erie and asked for $10
million for cleanup, $25 million for
compensory damages, for past, present, and
future damage, and $10 million for punitive
damage.
mercury
surface water
204
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Lisbon, Ohio
Highly mineralized fluids, the products
of neutralized spent pickling liquids, began pickling liquids
to leak from a disposal pit at Chem-Lime Corp. wildlife
In 1970, fish were killed in nearby Wilson's pond.
In 1971, Wilson's pond overflowed into Little Beaver
Creek, causing amajor kill of some 77,000 fish. The
State filed suit in 1972 or 1973 and a consent order
was entered, requiring the company to install a
collection system and neutralization plant. The
effluent to Beaver Creek Is now under NPDES permit.
In 1978, the State filed suit again due to
ammonia discharges. Settlement negotiations are
underway involving a shut-down schedule and civil
penalties. Chem-Lime will be required to reclaim
the area.
205
-------
Ham!I ton, Oh 1o
In 1976, a tank car located at the
Chem-Dyne Corp. disposal site In Hamilton,
Ohio overheated and leaked fumes. Subsequently,
the waste disposal firm filed a multi-million
dollar suit against the city, claiming that
Hamilton had hurt business.
The Chem-Dyne Corporation occupies approximately
four acres in downtown Hamilton. The ground under the
site Is porous and sandy. Thousands of 55-gallon drums
and seven large silo tanks are stored on Chem-Dyne's
premises; containing over 1 and 1/2 million gallons of
hazardous chemicals, Including phenol, acetone, xylene,
toluene, hexane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane
benzene, dlchlorobenzene, napthalene, cyanides and arsenic.
As part of the operation at the Chem-Dyne site, large
quantities of hazardous chemicals are mixed in several open
pits; in addition, chemicals have been discharged through
pipes, drains or other confined conveyances on or around the
Chem-Dyne plant, to a nearby canal and/or the Great Miami
River. In December, 1979 the EPA filed suit seeking a court
injunction to remove thousands of drums filled with chemicals
from their site after similar State orders had been ignored.
A federal judge refrained from Issuing the injunction until
the receiver appointed In State court had an opportunity to
cleanup the site. EPA Is monitoring the progress of this
cleanup and Is proceeding with discovery.
organic solvents
cyanide chemicals
soil
ground & surface
waters
206
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OREGON
Alkali Lake, South Central, Oregon, 1980
This Is an 10 acre state owned desert disposal
site which received approximately 25,000 drums of
known pesticide manufacturing wastes from 1969 - 1974.
The State ordered the site closed In 1972, and
unsuccessfully sued site owners for cleanup. In
1975, the State legislature allocated $310,000 for
cleanup and in 1976 placed the drums Into shallow
trenches on the site and covered them with a thin
layer of soil. The State has been monitoring the
groundwater even though the aquifer Is not usable
as a domestic livestock or agricultural water supply.
The water naturally has a high PH and a high arsenic
concentration. EPA/State monitoring data indicate
that phenols and other related chemicals have migrated
off-site. The area Is sparsely populated and there
is no significant threat to public health or the
environment. Semi-annual monitoring will be conducted
by the State. EPA will conduct periodic monitoring.
pesticides
non-potable
groundwater
207
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PENNSYLVANIA
Chester, Pennsylvania
A rubber recycler received drums of
hazardous wastes from ABM Company, a hauler,
and dumped the wastes on the ground. Drums
and contaminated soil and debris exist on
site. The site is in a residential area
and there is a threat of fire and explosion
with resultant toxic fumes. The latest
fire produced an acid mist. An enforcement
case was filed in April, 1979.
Cleanup of intact drums started in
January, 1980. A State hydrogeological study
shall be conducted. Newspaper articles
describe the following potential generators:
Texaco, Scott Paper, Sun Co., Exxon, DuPont,
Boeing-Vertol, and Smith, Klein and French.
Cost to cleanup the site may exceed $3 million.
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Illegal disposal of hazardous wastes
in a well by ABM Company has contaminated
groundwater. The contaminated groundwater
feeds a reservoir which is the drinking water
supply for suburban Philadelphia. A hydro-
geological evaluation and well sampling
program is being planned in order to document
leachate migration.
208
toxic wastes, fire
human health
toxic wastes
surface & groundwater,
drinking water
-------
Sprlngdale, Pennsylvania, 1978
A mixture of 10 or 11 chemicals, including
the toxic compound bromocyclohexanol, entered
the sewer system of Springdale, PA, a suburb
of Pittsburgh, through a connection with a PPG
Industries plant located about 20 miles away. A
serious health hazard apparently was not present.
However, 752 persons in Allegheny County complained
of bad smells and taste in drinking water, and 65
persons complained of slight illness.
toxic chemicals
sewer system
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Surface and ground water were contaminated.
The suspected source was an abandoned landfill,
which is on property now owned by a chemical
company. An investigation was made to determine
the extent of ground-water contamination and the
feasibility of ground water clean-up. The study
showed that poor housekeeping by the chemical company
and improper waste disposal were major contributors
to surface- and ground-water contamination. The
degradation caused by the landfill was less severe.
The case was reported to be still in litigation.
surface water
groundwater
chemical wastes
209
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Bucks and Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania
The following cases all Involve Trichlo-
roethylene (TCE) contamination of water supplies
In Bucks and Montgomery counties northwest of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In most cases, the
State has the lead with EPA providing technical
assistance as needed.
TCE, organ Ics
drinking water wells
Tech Alloy, Rahns, Pennsylvania
A private well has been contaminated
with TCE and other organIcs. Company Is
supplying alternative water supplies.
N. Penn Water Co., Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Eight out of 42 wells have been taken out
of service because of TCE contamination. N. Penn
Water Co,, Is conducting investigations with area
Industries.
210
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Superior Tube, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
TCE has been found in municipal water
supply. Superior Tube taking voluntary
action to pump aquifer in order to eliminate
TCE contamination.
Variety Club Camp, Worchester, Pennsylvania
TCE has been detected in camp water supply,
Nearby private wells are also contaminated.
The camp has connected to a safe water supply.
Currently the State is investigating the
private well contamination.
The following active sites involve TCE
and other chemical contamination in water
supplies. Site investigations are underway
by EPA and State agencies.
- Upper Southampton
- NADC, Wormiraster
- Wormimster
- Wormimster Heights, some cleanup underway
- Hatboro, some cleanup underway
- Warrenton, remedial actions underway
- Chalfort
- Evansberg
- Fairview Village
- Bristol
- Valley Forge Tabs, remedial action underway
- Audobon, remedial action underway
211
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1978
In mid-1978 a Philadelphia area man pleaded
qullty to violating Federal pollution laws for the
dumping of more than 730,000 gallons of chemical
wastes which were poured Into a storm sewer and
Into the Delaware River near Philadelphia's
Torresdale water treatment plant, which provides
approximately one-half of the city's drinking water.
Studies by the U.S. EPA of Philadelphia drinking
water found traces of eight cancer-causing chemicals In
water distributed from the Torresdale plant. Officials
contended that the chemicals were being discharged
by the waste treatment plant and were moving seven
miles upstream to the Intake pipe of the drinking
water treatment plant.
chemical wastes
surface water
212
-------
Newbenry Township, Pennsylvania
Private wells have been contaminated
with carbontetrachlon*de, TCE, tetrachloro-
ethylene, toluene, and dichlorobenzene.
The company involved has agreed to take
remedial action.
Sandy Lake Borough, Pennsylvania
A private hauler, contracted by
the Pittsburg Plate Glass Co. for removal
of glass manufacturing waste, dumped the
alkaline wastes into a swampy lowland
adjacent to McCutcheon Run. In 1975, after
two years of accepting the wastes at the
landfill, the owner stopped accepting the
wastes and drained the swamp. This caused
a five mile fish kill in McCutcheon Run.
New Beaver, Pennsylvania
Environmental Aids operated a waste
treatment and disposal facility for pickle
liquors and organic wastes at a New Beaver,
Pennsylvania site. Wastes were stored in
a pit behind a shale dam. After a nearby
pond and residential wells were contaminated,
the State ordered the company to clean up
the site. When the company failed to comply
with the consent decree requirements, the
organics
drinking water wells
alkaline wastes
surface water,
fish kills
pickle liquors,
organics
surface water,
drinking water
wells
213
-------
State seized the firm's assets and cleaned
up the site at a cost of $300,000. The
groundwater has not been restored.
Bruin, Pennsylvania
The American International Refining
Corp. operated at a Bruin, Pennsylvania site
until 1972. In 1968, the breakage of a waste
storage lagoon containing oils, acid wastes,
and alkyl benzene sulfonate into the Allegany
River killed 4.5 million fish valued at
$108,000. The firm could afford to pay only
$20,000 in fines to cover the damage. The
site was abandoned in 1972 when the company
went out of business. The State of Penn-
sylvania has spent over $20,000 for cleanup
since 1973. The new owners of the site have
posted a $100,000 bond for continued cleanup.
Findley, Pennsylvania
Leachate from the Browning Ferris
Industries industrial waste landfill has seeped
into the groundwater and have caused minor fish
kills in a nearby stream. After 1975, the site
was no longer authorized to accept industrial
wastes.
organics
surface water
toxic wastes
surface & groundwatf
214
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Noxamixon, Pennsylvania
Three of eleven industrial waste lagoons
operated by a chemical company leaked into a
nearby stream. After the State ordered the
Company to clean up the site in 1970, Revere
abandoned the site and left lagoons containing
3 1/2 million gallons of waste. During heavy
rains wastes would wash into the Delaware River.
The state finally intervened and spent over
$400,000 to clean up the site.
Falls, Pennsylvania
Since 1957, a major steel corporation
maintained 13 lagoons for the disposal of
industrial waste. A comprehensive ground-
water study in 1975 showed significant
concentrations of iron, phenols, zinc,
and other chemicals had entered the ground-
water.
Theodore Inman Landfill, Daugherly, Pennsylvania
Industrial wastes, including oils and heavy
metals dumped at the Theodore Inman landfill
in Daugherly, Pennsylvania in the early 1970's
destroyed biota in nearby streams and emitted
noxious odors. The site's operating permit was
withheld until the site was 1n compliance
with a state order for remedial action.
toxic wastes
surface water
phenol, zinc
groundwater
toxic wastes
air, surface water
215
-------
In June 1974, landfill operators informed
its clients that liquid wastes would no
longer be accepted.
Lackcawanna Refuse Co., Scranton Pennsylvania
An illegal disposal site for hazardous
waste haulers has accepted thousands of drums.
Leachate from site may be contaminating
groundwaters. The indigent owner is in
jail because he had defrauded the County
earlier.
toxic wastes
groundwater
State College, Pennsylvania, 1976
In August, 1976 samples of fish taken
from the headwaters of spring Creek in the
vacinity of the Nease Chemical Plant were
found to contain Kepone in concentrations
that exceeded Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) action levels.
Nease Chemical Co. produced Kepone
for Allied Chemical in the late 50's and early
60's and produced Mirex for Hooker Chemical
in 1973. Improper waste disposal practices
over the years had caused Kepone and Mirex
contamination of the plant property and
Spring Creek, a trout stream.
Following EPA recommendations, the
State has advised fishermen to limit their
fish intake. The State of Pennsylvania and
216
kepone, rairex
surface waters
-------
EPA are working to insure Nease is
committed to a sound cleanup program.
Haverford, Pennsylvania
National Wood Preservatives, which operated
a plant at Haverford from 1952 until 1963, dumped
waste creosote containing dissolved pentachlora-
phenol into a disposal well. In 1963 the plant
changed ownership, and the new management
reportedly stopped use of the disposal well,
which had contaminated the upper portion of
the groundwater aquifer.
This has slowly spread downgradient,
intercepting a storm sewer. The organic wastes
have begun to enter Naylor Run from the sewer,
killing all aquatic life for at least five
or six miles downstream from the point of
entry. In July 1973, the Pennsylvania Dept.
of Environmental Resources ordered those
presently owning the affected property to
remove the wastes, requiring wells to be
dug to pump out most of the creosote and
a catch basin to be placed on the storm
sewer. Estimated cost of this cleanup is
$50,000. The current owners, claiming
they did not cause the problem, are
pentachloraphenol
surface water
217
-------
appealing the order- In 1977, the EPA
Environmental Emergency Response Unit
plugged a drain, preventing further
surface water pollution. The groundwater
remains contaminated.
Neville Island (Allegheny County), Pennsylvania
The Ohio River Park occupies a thirty-five
acre lot at the western tip of Neville Island.
Essentially completed, the park is located on
a site donated to Allegheny County in 1976
by the Hillman Co. via its foundation. The
company is the parent corporation for the
now defunct Pittsburg Coke and Chemical
Co. Four acres of the site were reportedly
used as a municipal garbage dump from
1953 to 1945. In the early 1950's large
quantities of miscellaneous industrial
waste were deposited extensively. The
chemicals uncovered at the park site
includes benzene, phenols, parathion,
cyanide, mercury and coal tar residues.
A recently completed study of remedial
alternatives estimated that continued park
closure with monitoring would cost $150,000
to $250,000. Removal of contaminated waste
in order to rebuild the park as originally
conceived would cost seven to twenty-four
million dollars. 218
organics, pesticides
heavy metals
land, human health
-------
Tioga County, Elkland Borough, Pennsylvania
In November 1972, the Elkland Tannery
shut down after 33 years of operation.
The site was turned over to Elkland Borough,
which chose to have the site leveled. During
levelling operations, about 20,000 gallons
of chemical waste liquids were released and
drained into the Cowanesque River on December
7, 1978. The spill killed everything in the
river for 7 miles. An estimated 2-4 million
gallons of wastes remain stored at the site.
Hazel ton, Pennsylvania
Trichloroethylene from New Jersey was
brought to Hazel ton by midnight dumpers
and dumped into a quarry. TCE is believed
to have leaked down to the aquifer,
contaminating a potential water supply
for Hazel ton. Hazel ton is in need of
a new water supply because of the
questionability of its present reservoir
for future use.
Washington County, Pennsylvania
The Arden landfill, in operation since
the 1940's, accepts air pollution control
sludges from Hercules, Inc. The sludges
contain heavy metals including lead,
cobalt, and chromium. Leachate from the
\
219
toxic wastes
surface water
TCE
groundwater
heavy metals
groundwater, drinking
water wells
-------
landfill entered groundwater and
contaminated a farmer's well and a
spring one-half mile from the site.
The landfill operator constructed a
leachate collection system. Leachate is
piped to the City of Washington's municipal
treatment plant. Sludges from the municipal
treatment plant are then buried at the Arden
landfill.
White!and Township, Pennsylvania
Unlined lagoons used by the Foote-
Mineral Exton Corp for disposal of lithium
caused groundwater contamination and the
abandonment of 600 wells. The lagoons have
since been lined.
Pittston, Pennsylvania
In mid 1979, from 500 to 1000 gallons
per day of a mixture of waste oil and
organic chemicals poured for more than
one month from an abandoned mine shaft
into the Susquehanna River. The Susque-
hanna River is used for recreational
purposes and for downstream drinking
water supplies. EPA expenditures at the
site to date total approximately one-half
lithium
drinking water wells
oils, organics
surface & groundwater
220
-------
million dollars. An additional $850,000
has been requested for site assessment
and emergency containment. It Is estimated
that $10 million will be needed to fully
remedy the problem.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In 1979, about 400 gallons of PCB
contaminated liquids flowed down the streets in
the Kensington area after a vandel opened the valve
of a transformer left In an abandoned Independent
Wiring Plant warehouse. Two tons of sand were
poured on the streets In an effort to soak up
the substance. Local residents experienced eye
Irritation and a young girl who came In direct
contact with the chemical was hospitalized briefly.
PCB's
air
Pleasant Township
Heavy rains broke the earthen dike
of a former refinery waste lagoon releasing
contaminated sludge that entered the Allegheny
River. 450,000 fish, with an estimated value of
$75,000 were killed along a 60-mile stretch of the
river. Groundwater quality remains degraded.
toxic wastes
surface & groundwater
Butler, Pennsylvania
Pickling liquors mixed with lime
escaped from Improperly lined lagoons.
221
picklIng I Iquors
surface water
-------
An estimated 400,000 gallons per day of
liquid wastes with a pH of 2.6, .has
contaminated a nearby tributary of
Raccoon Creek. The creek is already
badly damaged by mine acid discharges.
Buffalo Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania
Prior to 1962, the Hranica Landfill
accepted industrial wastes, including test
paints, solvents, thinners, and pigments.
Leaching by these materials resulted in
the contamination of a spring about 1/4
mile away, a source of drinking water
for local residents. Residents reported
that a film of organic chemicals on the
surface of the water could occasionally
be lit by a match. The spring water
was still unfit for drinking as of 1975.
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Industrial wastes disposed in the
Heleva Landfill since 1967 contaminated
a well which supplied water to about 50
homes. Excessive levels of phenols, ethyl
acetate and trichloroethylene were present
in the well water.
organics
spring
phenols, organics
drinking water wells
222
-------
Tinicum Marsh, Pennsylvania
Fly ash was illegally dumped adjacent
to Tinicum Marsh, causing contamination of
the wetland. Because the tidal wetland was
considered environmentally sensitive, the
marsh was cleaned up.
fly ash
wetland
Berks County, Pennsylvania
Seven private wells were contaminated
by leakage from 55-gallon drums containing
paint solvents from the Volberts Company
of Allentown, Pa. The drums had been
dumped in a quarry in Kutztown, Pa.
They were removed when contamination
was detected in 1972.
paint solvents
drinking water wells
Hamilton, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania
An unidentified pesticide manufacturer
produced lindane/BHC on a site in Hamilton.
Operations ceased in 1966, and the site was
later deeded to the town. Over 400 tons of
highly toxic BHC waste were discovered at
the site, and there was a confirmed leak from
the waste into a local stream.
pesticides
surface water
223
-------
Berwick Borough, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
In 1965, unlined lagoons of the plating wastes
Fulton Lamp MFG. Co., caused contamination drinking water wells
of private wells in the area. The lagoons
were leaking plating wastes containing
cyanide, copper, nickel, alkylbenzene-
sulphonate, and phosphate.
224
-------
RHODE ISLAND
North Smfthffeld, Rhode Island, 1979
Western Sand and Gravel operated a sand and
gravel pit that accepted chemical wastes and septage
fn trenches and in at least ten unlined lagoons.
The soil status Is a fine grain sand type. The
site is upstream of the Saltersville Reservoir and
two of SaltersviIle's municipal wells. Groundwater
contamination of 1,1,1 trichloroethane and toluene
has been documented. At the Governor's request the
EPA Is providing assistance under Section 311 CWA.
On February 15, 1980, analyses showed that
trichloroethytene, benzene, toluent, ethyl benzene
and xylene were leaching Into Tarklin Brook and
StatesviIle Reservoir. Four lagoons have been emptied
and wastes will be disposed of safely by early May. The
State is accepting bids for the disposal of the remaining
septage lagoons and will open bids on May 7, 1980.
organics
surface 4 groundwater
225
-------
Coventry, Rhode Island
The Candy Box Farm is a pig farm which has
also been used as a repository for hazardous organ Ics, flammable
chemical wastes. Frequently, the illegal wastes surface water
originated out-of-state. Midnight dumping of
flammable chemicals occured in ditch areas.
Approximately 20,000 55-gallon drums of chemicals
are stored on the farm. Fourteen barrels containing
explosive sodium aluminum hydroxide were removed following
a substantial explosion and fire in late 1977. The site
slopes to a tributary of the Moosup River. Surface water
contamination has been confirmed.
Litigation by the State of Rhode Island began
In 1979 against the owner, generator and several
haulers. According to recent reports, the site has
been abandoned with the State spending $60,000 to
study cleanup and restoration alternatives. The State
legislature appropriated $300,000 to cleanup the site;
however, cleanup costs are estimated at $38 million
for complete remedy.
226
-------
Bristol, Rhode Island
The Bristol landfill has three illegal dump
sites of chemical wastes. Toluene and
trichloroethylene have been found. As of November
1979, 663 barrels had been removed at a cost of
$162,000. The adjacent marshland and at least
eleven wells have become contaminated. The site
is recognized to be a serious problem.
toluene, TCE
surface water,
water wells
Cumberland, Rhode Island
The 10 acre Cumberland Landfill, operated by
J.M. Mills, Inc. has been implicated in the
closing of four municipal wells; three of which
still closed. The wells are contaminated by te-
trachloroethylene and 1,1,1,trichloroethane with
concentrations up to 61 ug/1 and 166 ug/1,
respectively. According to the USGS, the three
wells may have drawn groundwater from the
Cumberland landfill when all three wells were
pumping.
Before a remedial action plan can be devised
additional monitoring of the area is required
to document the source of the pollutants. This
monitoring is being pursued by EPA Region I.
tetrachloroethylene,
1,1,1, trichloroethane
drinking water wells
227
-------
North Smithfield, Rhode Island
Landfill and Resource Recovery operated an
unlined industrial hazardous waste site until the
state prohibited the acceptance of hazardous waste
in September 1979. The site, however, is still
used as a municipal refuse landfill. Over 1,000
gallons per day of hazardous waste were accepted.
These wastes included toluene, benzene, carbon
tetrachloride, dioxane, chloroform,
trichloroethane and methylene chloride.
Monitoring wells have shown some contamination of
organics, however, additional monitoring well test
data is being collected by the State to document
the extent of groundwater contamination.
Contamination leaving this site could affect the
downgradient aquifer.
Coincidentally, the site is only one quarter
mile from the Western Sand and Gravel Site.
organics
groundwater
228
-------
Providence, Rhode Island
Local government officials have investigated a
private hauler who dumped 55-gallon drums on these
vacant lots. The hauler is believed to have chemical wastes
dumped chemical wastes at other locations land
throughout the area.
Kingston, Rhode Island
An inactive Kingston landfill received
contaminated wastes from the now defunct Photeic
Corporation. Groundwater has become contaiminated mercury
with high concentrations of mercury. There is no groundwater
immediate health hazard.
229
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SOUTH CAROL I INA
Ferguson Site, Rock HIM, South Carolina, 1980
Twenty-five hundred deteriorating drums and PCB's
a large storage tank, containing various hazard- hazardous materials
ous materials, including PCB's, pose a significant surface water
threat to a tributary of Wildcat Creek from surface
runoff. The State has filed a suit to remedy
the situation. $140,000 in CWA section 311 funds
have been expended at the site.
230
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Sangamo Electric Co., Pickens, South Carolina
Sangamo Electric Co., disposed of PCB-
contaminated equipment and wastes at three sites.
Two of the locations are county owned lanfills PCB-
and the third is a privately owned landfill. surface & groundwater
Water testing showed high concentrations of PCBs water
in the groundwater and nearby waterways, including
Lake Hartwell. A standing advisory was made
against the commercial taking of bottom-feeding
fish. The Sangamo Plant now has a permit for
on-site burial of PCB contaminated wastes.
Landrum, South Carolina
An unidentified industrial-type waste was
dumped into Vaughan Creek, the town's water
supply- National guardsmen trucked drinking water industrial wastes
into the town, while town employees flushed two town water supply
storage tanks. It is believed that the
contamination was discovered at the filtration
plant before being released to the disribution
system.
231
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SOUTH DAKOTA
Oahe Reservoir, South Dakota
Processing of gold ore by use of a mercury
amalgamation process resulted in contamination of
the Whitewood Creek, Cheyenne River, and Cheyenne
arm of Oahe Reservoir with mercury compounds.
As a result of this, mercury levels in some fish
in the Cheyenne River have exceeded the FDA recom-
mended level. The State recommened the consumption
of fish be limited. No correction of the problem
has been taken and no firm estimates of costs
have been prepared. The costs, however, would be
substantial, since over 100 miles of stream are
affected.
mercury
surface water
fish ban
232
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TENNESSEE
Hardeman County, Tennessee
Velsicol Chemical Corporation of Memphis,
Tennessee, is the owner of approximately 242 acres
in Hardeman County near the Town of Toone,
Tennessee. Between 1964 and 1972, the Company
trucked about 300,000 55-gallon drums of their
waste material from a pesticide plant in Memphis
to the site for disposal. The company's waste
residue including endrin, dieldrin, aldrin, and
other pesticides, were buried in unlined trenches
over about 50 acres of the property. The
groundwater has become contaminated and use of
private wells in the area has been discontinued.
A public water supply has been extended to these
residents, and groundwater monitoring is
continuing. Remedial actions at the site are
being taken by the Company. Clean-up cost
estimates range from $6 million to over $165
million. A class action suit has been filed
against the Company by local citizens. A 1979
study indicated liver enzyme abnormalities among
residents who had consumed the water.
pesticides
drinking water wells
233
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Millington Dump/Landfill, Memphis, Tennessee
The Millington Landfill is located chemical wastes
adjacent to Big Creek near Millington, soil
Tennessee. Alleged to have accepted
unknown types and quantities of industrial
wastes, the site ceased operation in 1976.
EPA sampling of sediment in seepage areas
during May 1979 revealed two organic compounds
in low concentrations; chlordane (0.4 ppm) and
chlordane (.019 ppm). The site is presently
cultivated with soybeans.
Chickasaw (Old) Ordnance Site, Millington, Tennessee
Located at the site of a now abandoned
Oupont Ordnance plant. Company reports chemical wastes
only small amounts of spilled acid soil
(sulfuric and nitric) would have gone
into the site from their TNT manufacturing
process. Wastewater contaminated with
residual TNT was disposed through a drain
field during the time the plant was in
operation and TNT might have accumulated in
the soil. Sampling has not been done by EPA
at this site.
234
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Chattanooga, Tennessee
In June 1978, National Waste Oil
Control Company declared bankruptcy and
abandoned two storage areas containing
30,000 gallons of oil and sludge. The
site posed the danger of spillage into
nearby Citico Creek and potential
contamination of the city drinking water
supply. The U.S. EPA spent $100,000 to
land fill the sludge and incinerate
contaminated soil. After the city filed
a nuisance suit, the owner removed the
remaining sludge, graded and capped
the site.
waste oils
drinking water
supply
Memphis, Tennessee 1976 - 1980
Complaints from residents of a
neighborhood have initiated several
investigations of reported chemical waste
disposal. Recent sampling of air, water
and soil has been conducted by EPA.
Analyses have not shown chemical levels above
those normally found in urban areas. Additional
sampling will be done.
pesticides
human health
complained
Rutherford County, Tennessee
Twenty private wells in a rural setting
were found contaminated by the illegal
disposal of waste oils into a sinkhole. HUD
235
waste oils
drinking water
wells
-------
and FHA funded a $200,000 extension to an
ongoing water supply project in order that
impacted residents be supplied potable water.
Nothing was done to restore the groundwater.
Waynesboro, Tennessee
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, a
local plant began to dump polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCB's) and other chemical wastes
into a city dump site. The dumping continued
until April 1972. The waste has migrated
into a spring which feeds Beech Creek.
Aquatic life in Beech Creek has been
adversely affected.
PCB's
surface water,
wildlife
Milan, Tennessee
Normal operation of the Milan Army
Ammunition Plant, since its origin in 19*11
has resulted in surface discharge of plant
process water containing residues of TNT,
DNT, RDX and "tetryl". During a routine
testing of wells on the installation,
explosive residues were found in the
vicinity of the industrial lagoons. Two
water supply wells for the Army installation
were closed subject to these findings. A
survey of on-site and private wells downgradient
from the installation was instituted by the U.S.
236
TNT, DNT, RDX,
tetryl
ground water
-------
Army Toxic and Hazardous Materials Agency
to determine the extent of contamination.
Following this survey, a polllution abatement
plan will be implemented.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, Velsicol Residue Hill
On-site disposal of chemical wastes has chemical waste
resulted in groundwater contamination. The ground water
company is planning remedial work on-site
for completion this construction season.
Memphis, Tennessee
Complaints of severe headaches, nausea,
and eye irritation in sewage treatment plant
workers led to analyses of urine samples.
Chlorinated organics and related compounds
of low levels were found. The apparent
source of the chemicals was the industrial
waste discharges to sewer lines. Several
industries have agreed to pay for most of
the cost of cleaning contaminated sludges
from the sewers.
chlorinated
organics
wastewater
collection
and treatment
system
Morristown, Tennessee
Leachate from a dump containing municipal
refuse, DDT, DDE, DDD and dieldrin polluted pesticides
nearby wells. Odors emanated from a leachate surface water
polluted stream. TVA produced a final closing
237
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plan for the dump, including a two foot final
cover and plastic covering of the pesticide
disposal area.
Bellvue Dump, Memphis, Tennessee
This site is an old city dump which chemical wastes
ceased operation in 1974. It is situated
along the Wolf River near N. Watkins Street.
Illicit dumping at the site is still occurring.
The Bellvue Dump is one of several dumps in the
immediate vicinity; all are located in the Wolf
River flood plain, none are presently permitted
for active dumping. These various other dump-
sites were privately owned/operated, now having
ceased opertion. EPA is presently awaiting
analytical results from leachate and sediment
samples taken during March 1980 from the
Bellvue site.
Hollywood Dump, Memphis, Tennessee
Located south of the Wolf River at the chemical waste
Hollywood Street bridge, the site was an old surface water
city dump in the flood plain and filling of
the Wolf River. In operation from 1930 - 1974,
the site was used for disposal of unknown
quantities of household and industrial wastes,
notably including pesticide production wastes
from the Velsicol Chemical Company. Site was
the focus of 311 response during February -
March 1980 when exposed barrels were removed
from the flood plain of the Wolf River and
eroding areas were filled and seeded.
238
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Jackson Pit Dump, Memphis, Tennessee
Situated near the intersection of Tchulahoma
Road and Jackson Pit Road, Jackson Pit is a closed
municipal landfill owned by Shelby County. Hie site
received much of the industrial solid waste from the
Shelby County area when it was in active use. Adjacent
stream shows three priority pollutants and twelve other
organic compounds in the water phase which are also present
in leachate leaving the site. The site is being monitored
for any increase in the concentrations of contaminants in the
leachate streams or for increased volumes of leachate.
chemical waste
surface water
239
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TEXAS
Harris County, Texas
Acid pit is an abandoned waste disposal
site in the San Jaclnto flood plain near
Highland, Texas. Dry compacted sludge covers
one acre to a depth of 10 feet. The site is
located in a flood plain and is not secured.
In 1961, a hurricane flood tide resulted In a
massive fish kill. The site is being assessed to
determine the need and urgency of cleanup.
toxic wastes
surface water,
fish kills
LaMarque, Texas
MOTCO is, and unsecured, abandoned dump
site situated In a flood plain. One generator
to this site is a major chemical company. There
are 88 drums possibly containing toluene,
trlethanolamine, acetic anhydride, lead and
mercury. Pits on the site contain oily sludges*
Analysis of these wastes reveal significant
concentrations of PCB, benzene, phenol,
stryene, trlchloroethylene, chloroform,
toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene. The site
Is causing air and surface water pollution
problems. Attempts at recycling the wastes were
halted due to vinyl chloride emissions. Costs for
containment are estimated to be at least $100,000,
with cleanup expected to costs $1.5 - 4 million.
Organ Ics, PCB's
air & surface water
240
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Mission, Texas
High concentrations of pesticides and
other chemicals were found on the areas surrounding
an abandoned pesticide formulation plant. One of the
areas Is used to park school buses and a wood
working shop for the Mission Schools. Samples
of dust taken from the seats of the school buses
also showed pesticides. The cost of cleanup Is
estimated to be approximately $200,000.
pesticides
health threat
Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas
This nearly 12 acre Inactive site Is fenced,
but otherwise unsecured. It Is located within the
city limits of Grand Prairie, a suburb of Dallas.
The disposal of a variety of industrial wastes began
there In 1972 and continued until the site was closed
In 1978. In early 1978, there was a fire at the site
which destroyed the Incinerator.
Industrial wastes
fire
241
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Harris County, Texas
French Limited is a 15 acre waste disposal
site, in use since 1965. Approximately, 70
million gallons of acidic and oily wastes were
disposed into this unlined, abandoned sand pit.
The oily sludges and sediment of the pits
contain PCB's. In 1973, flooding of the
San Jacinto River inundated the site and
caused the dike to break. Some of the oily
sludges were released. The site was again
inundated in 1979. Drinking water wells are
contaminated and a nearby san pit was closed
due to the movement of toxic pollutants. The
State has neutralized the pH of the sludges as
the first step of remedial action. Substantial
cleanup is required which may exceed $1,500,000.
acidic, oily
wastes, PCB's
surface water
Harris County, Texas
Sikes Pit is a site for a large
volume of petroleum and chemical wastes.
The site is located in the San Jacinto
flood plain. Sikes Pit is unassessed
at this time.
petroleum,
chemical waste
surface water
242
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Riverside, Texas
In 1979 high levels of chromate were
found in the drinking water of contaminated
wells. State officials believe that a leak
in a cooling tower basin at Structural
Metals, Inc. was the source of the pollution.
The state may require the company to pump
and restore the aquifer.
Austin, Texas
Powdered pesticides, including DDT,
toxaphene, lindane and Alpha and Beta
Benzene Hexachloride, killed several
hundred fish in a Southeast Austin
pond. The pesticides had been dumped
in paper bags into the St. Edwards
landfill. Bulldozers constructing
a baseball field unearthed the chemicals,
and rain washed them into the pond.
In August, 1979 construction in the
park ceased while officials removed
the contaminated soil.
chromate
drinking water wells
pesticides
surface water, park
243
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UTAH
Rose Park, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1979
Wastes Including old discarded waste oil, somewhat
paraffinic, from a waste processing operation were disposed waste oil
at the now inactive site. The park is fenced in for safety groundwater
purposes. In warm weather the oil cozes up and has been
described as a three million cubic foot tar pit. An EPA
consultants report indicates potential for offsite
groundwater contamination. A contractors review recommended
that the site be covered with an impervious clay and properly
sloped for drainage.
244
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VERMONT
Rocklngham, Vermont
Gross pollution of groundwater In Rocklngham,
Vermont was observed seven years after a liquid
Industrial waste disposal facility was established
In an abandoned gravel quarry. Groundwater were
characterized by elevated levels of specific
conductance, BOD, COD, chromium, lead, zinc,
potassium and nickel. While not admitting
culpability, the operator agreed to furnish
potable water to affected neighbors by means
of a public water system. The disposal of
liquid wastes has been prohibited but the
groundwater resources remain polluted.
chemical wastes
groundwater
24-3
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VIRGINIA
Saltville, Virginia
Mercury has leached fgqm an old 01 in
mercury
plant site and contaminated the Holston River. surface water
A fishing ban was imposed by the State for
the Holston River. The Company is completing
a field investigation and developing remedial
action strategy. A technical task force made
up of the State Water Control Board, State
Attorney General's Office, and EPA Region III
is overseeing industrial remedial studies,
plans and alternatives. Remedial actions are
to be initiated by Fall, 1980. To date,
the Company has spent $700-800 thousand,
$200 thousand to put rip rap on the stream bank
at the old plant site, and an estimated
$200 thousand to stabilize levees of
on-site ponds. The remedial plan includes
covering the pond containing mercury
and diverting surface water around the
pond basin. This will cost approximately
$4 million whereas the alternative would
be to remove the mercury and dispose
of it in a controlled disposal area.
This would cost approximately $32 million.
246
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Waynesboro, Virginia, 1977
In June 1977 the South River below Waynesboro,
Virginia, and the South Fork of the Shenandoah
River were closed to fishing for eating purposes,
for a total 130 miles. Officials contended that
an E.I. duPont de Nemours facility at Waynesboro
was the source of the contamination. Mercury had
been used as a catalyst In the manufacture of
synthetic fibers at the plant between 1929 and
1950. Concentration levels of more than 240 ppm
were found In the sediments of certain of those
waters, and fish contamination exceeded the FDA
action level of 0.5 ppm. Closures In the
Shenandoah area were estimated to have reduced
fishing on the river by 78 percent, a decline that
translated Into a $600,000 yearly loss to the
economy of the region.
mercury
surface water
fish
'247
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Hopewe11, Virginia
Kepone, a highly chlorinated hydrocarbon
pesticide, was discharged Into the environment
around Hopewell, Virginia from 1966 to 1975 from
two manufacturing operations. The Allied Chemical
Corporation Semi-Works Plant produced Kepone
Intermittently from 1966 to 1974. Life Science
Products Company initiated Kepone production under
contract to Allied Chemical In 1974 and continued
production until closure of the plant In September
1975. The finding of high levels of Kepone
contamination In James River fish brought about closure
of the James River to recreational and commerlcal
fishing for many species of fish and shellfish. An
estimated 20,000 to 38,000 pounds of Kepone still Is
In the James River. The projected cost for effectively
eliminating contamination Is In the billions of dollars.
In addition plant workers have contracted numerous illnesses
which may be attributed to Kepone exposure. Litigation
Is still pending and the problem has not been resolved.
Kepone
surface waters
human health
fishing ban
248
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Nelson County, Virginia, 1977
Acid from copper wastes of an copper wastes
American Cyanamid plant which operated surface water
from the 1940 's to 1969, washed into the
Piney and Tye Rivers afer a thunderstorm
killing 73,000 fish. As of July 1979,
the copper wastes remained, despite
the efforts of the new owner, U.S. Titanium,
to have it moved.
249
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WASHINGTON
Tacoma, Washington, 1980
Hooker Chemical Company has recently
reported to the State of Washington and EPA organics
groundwater
Region X that the groundwater at the plant
site is contaminated by chlorinated organic
chemicals. The contamination may be due to
waste chemical migration from disposal
areas and lagoons on the plant site.
Additional groundwater monitoring is
necessary to define the extent of
contamination.
Helgar - Kronquist Kaiser Site, Spokane, Washington, 1980
This site is an old gravel quarry which
chlorides
is privately owned. The quarry was used to groundwater
dispose aluniraan processing wastes until
closed by a county order. The shallow perched
water table has been contaminated by chlorides.
The county has issued an order directing remedial
actions at the site. Kaiser has agreed to do
additional groundwater monitoring and to
evaluate alternative remedial measures.
Wilders Landfill, Ferndale, Washington, 1979
cheaaical wastes
This privately owned site was permitted
soil
as a landfill by the county in 1976. In
violation of permit requirements, hazardous
wastes were disposed in a pit on the site
250
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and the county ordered the site closed
and covered in 1979. The site is located
in clay soils and no groundwater contamin-
ation has been detected. Howeverj monitoring
at the site is being conducted to determine
if additional surface water controls and
grading work is necessary.
Kent, Washington, 1980
At a chemical waste recycling and
reprocessing facility, improper methods
of waste handling and disposal have contaminated
surface runoff and probably contaminated ground-
water. Remedial actions at the site should
include clean-up of contaminated soils and
groundwater monitoring. Additional investi-
gation is necessary prior to a definitive
remedial plan.
Spokane, Washington, 1978
In 1978, private residential drinking
wells near the Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical
Plant were found to have significant concen-
trations of cyanide. The apparent cause of the
contamination is Kaiser's practice of pumping
liquid wastes containing cyanide into on-site
lagoons or directly into the ground. The cyanide
apparently migrated easily through the sandy
flatland which overlies the Spokane aquifer.
Toxi cs
surface and groundwater
cyanide
drinking water
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Shelton, Washington, 1972
In 1972 water in the Mason County
fair grounds well were found to be
contaminated with breakdown products of
waste liquor, tannins and lignins
apparently from Goose Lake, which is
3/4 mile away. During the late 1930's
and early 1940's Rayomier Timber Co.
had disposed of its waste liquors
and sludge from its pulping
operations in and near Goose Lake
in Shelton.
organics
surface and groundwater
Everett, Washington, 1974
A combination of aluminum dust,
magnesium chips and concentrated phosphorus
ignited while being compacted at a landfill.
Firemen applied water, which worsened the
situation; two firemen were subsequently
thrown from a front end loader, but
escaped injury. Firefighters extin-
guished the surface fire but the fire
burned underground until it expended
its fuel.
combustibles
human health
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Black Diamond (King County), Washington
For at least 10 years the Palmer Coke
and Coaling company has accepted Industrial
wastes, including paints, solvents and paint
sludges, for dumping in abandoned coal mine
shafts. Wastes, seeping through cracks polluted
surface waters. Although wastes are still
accepted, the site is regularly monitored
by the Department of Ecology.
Silverdale (Kitsap County)
Water that had been used to wash
RDX (a high explosive) out of shells
leached from a dump and contaminated
groundwater. The U.S. Navy Spent
$150,000 on a monitoring program;
final costs might reach $1 million.
Kent, Washington, 1979
Widing Transportation, Inc. violated
water pollution laws when Its settling ponds,
used to filter liquid wastes out of Its tanker
trucks, overflowed into an adjacent swamp.
Surface water was contaminated
^ groundwater had apparently not been
affected.
organics
surface water
waste water
groundwater
liquid wastes
surface water
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WISCONSIN
Calumet County, Wisconsin
In February 1979, demolition wastes containing
PCB's, mercury, cadi urn, lead, copper and chromium
were dumped by Weiseter Construction into wetlands
adjacent to Lake Innbago. If they are not removed
the wastes will ultimately enter the lake. The Corps
of Engineers has sued in federal court. The State also
has a court order pending.
PCB's,
heavy metals
wetlands
Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin
Extremely high levels of PCB's in fish have
resulted in an advisory against consuming fish
from 129 miles of the Sheboygan, Mullet,, and Onion
Rivers. One suspected source of the chemical is the
Tecumseh Products Company, which used wastes containing
10,000 parts per million PCB's as fill in the Sheboygan
River floodplain. Remedial measures have been initiated
by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
PCB's
fish ban
254
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Brokaw, Wisconsin
Surface and ground water were contaminated.
A paper company stored spent sulflte liquor In
a pond for about 4 years. It was hoped that the
quality of the polluted water would be Improved as
It moved through the soil. However, an Investigation
revealed both surface and ground water contamination.
Initially, a high-capacity well was used to withdraw
contaminated ground water from the aquifer, and a
barrier well was used to contain the spread of
contaminants. Ground water was discharged to the
Wisconsin River. Two more pumping wells were
installed later. The remedial action has contained
the zone of contamination but is not as effective as
anticipated. Pumping will be necessary for a long
time to fully renovate the aquifer.
suIfIte Ii q uor
ground water
surface water
255
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Onalaska, Wisconsin
At least 3 private wells were contaminated.
Investigations undertaken by the state of
Wisconsin between 1966 and 1968 found at least
3 private wells to be polluted by waste leaching
from several near-by impoundments. The 200,000
gallons of waste produced daily contain high
concentrations of chlorides, fluorides, sulfates,
and trace amounts of metallic ions. Treatment
of the wastes was provided prior to Infiltration.
A new well was drilled to replace affected wells.
chemical wastes
groundwater
256
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RIpon, Wlscons In
Contamination of a canning company well led
to an Investigation. The contamination was traced
to improper handling of the canning company's own
wastes. The contaminated well was Initially pumped
to remove the contaminants, with little success. The
well was abandoned and sealed. Increased use of a high
capacity well also resulted in contamination of the well.
It was pumped and treated with limited effectiveness.
It was finally deepened, and used with another deep
well to supply water for the cannery. No further
problems have developed.
organ i c waste
ground water
Marinette, Wisconsin
Storage of arsenic salts and discharges to the
Menominee River have left ground water and the river
sediments contaminated with arsenic. The generator,
Ansul Company, paid $7 million to have the wastes
removed, but the soils, ground water and sediments
remain contaminated. Ansul has. proposed a treatment
system for cleaning ground waters.
arsenIc
ground water
257
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Madison, Wisconsin
Surface water and ground water were contaminated.
Contamination does not extend far beyond the edge of
the landfill. A study of the landfill was initiated in
1967 to define the nature and extent of ground water
contamination from the 01 in Avenue landfill. The
landfill site is a former marsh. The presence of the
landfill has partially converted a ground-water discharge
zone to a recharge zone. Most ground-water movement is
toward Wingra Creek. No remedial action was reported.
Ieachate
surface &
ground
water
Madison, Wisconsin
Surface water and ground water were contaminated.
Contamination does not extend beyond the edge
of the landfill. A study of the landfill was initiated
in 1967 to define the nature and extent of ground
water contamination from Truax Field landfill. The
presence of near by high-level welIs has modified the
ground water flow pattern in this area. No remedial
action was reported.
Ieachate
surface &
ground
water
258 -
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Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin
Surface water and ground water were contaminated.
At least one well was affected. In 1964, the Wisconsin
State Board of Health received complaints of ground
water contamination. An investigation suggested that
organic wastes from a pea cannery were adversely
affecting ground water, but no definite proof was found
The contaminated well was abandoned and sealed. The
canning company lined a disposal pit to collect the
silage liquor for proper disposal. The effectiveness
of this action is not known.
organic s
surface &
ground
water
Wausau, Wisconsin
An Industrial well pumping 500 gallons per minute
became contaminated. The contamination was traced
to an infiltration pond containing papermill wastes
across the Wisconsin River from the well. No re-
medial action was reported.
pa perm iI I
wastes
ground
water
u.s. oovEiwEm PWOTIHG OFFICE 1900 -o- 311-726 /seas
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