xvEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency For more information For questions, comments or more information about the investigation, contact one of these EPA team members: For technical questions: Peter Ramanauskas EPA Project Manager 312-886-7890 ramanauskas .peter@epa.gov Corey Peaslee EPA On-Scene Coordinator 312-886-0393 peaslee.corey@epa.gov For general questions: Francisco Arcaute EPA Community Involvement Coordinator 312-886-7613 arcaute.firancisco@epa.gov You may call EPA toll-free at 800-621-8431, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., weekdays Website: https://www.epa.qov/hwcorrectiveactionsites /hazardous-waste-cleanup-exide- technoloqies-frankfort-indiana EPA Oversees Site Work Near Former Exide Battery Site Exide Environmental Response Trust Frankfort, Indiana September 2023 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Exide Environmental Response Trust, or Exide ERT, are investigating and remediating environmental impacts in the soil and groundwater related to industrial activities at the former Exide Battery plant. Exide is located at 555 N. Hoke Ave., on a 13-acre parcel on the east side of Frankfort, Indiana. The primary contaminants of concern for the former Exide Battery plant are related to battery manufacturing, such as lead and arsenic, petroleum- based fuels, and chlorinated solvents. In April 2014, two underground storage tanks were removed. Solvents, including TCE, were found in soil and groundwater along the east side of the site adjacent to Kelley Avenue. Starting in September 2023, the Exide ERT will be working at the site to install additional groundwater monitoring wells, conduct groundwater sampling, inspect the sanitary sewer piping along North Kelly Avenue using a camera, and perform sampling of a stormwater outfall from the site. The upcoming work will also include the excavation of approximately 1,000 tons of trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated soils from an area adjacent to Kelley Avenue. After the excavation, Exide ERT's work will include the installation of a network of pipes and gravel within the excavation. The piping will be used to distribute biodegradable food-grade soybean oil containing additives. This will help stimulate the growth of naturally existing underground microbes that will feed on the remaining chlorinated solvents. This kind of process is called bioremedation. (AASHT0 N0.57) What Is Bioremediation? Bioremediation stimulates the growth of certain microbes that use contaminants such as oils, solvents and even some pesticides, as a source of food and energy. Microbes are very small organisms, such as bacteria, that live naturally in the environment. Additional information on Bioremediation can be found here: https://semspub.epa.gov/work/HQ/401583.pdf 1 ------- |