EPA, Maryland Settle with 16 Companies for Cleanup of Central Chemical Superfund Site

The companies will reimburse EPA $945,000 for past costs and reimburse EPA for future costs related to its ongoing oversight of the cleanup

Source U.S. EPA

Aug. 18, 2015

2 min read

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement involving 16 companies that have agreed to stabilize and cap waste and contaminated soils at the Central Chemical Superfund site in Hagerstown, Md., for more than $14.3 million. In addition, the companies will reimburse EPA $945,000 for past costs and reimburse EPA for future costs related to its ongoing oversight of the cleanup.

“This settlement will fund a protective long-term solution to safely contain contaminated soils and waste on site,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “This remedy will protect the groundwater from further contamination by the wastes in the soil.”

The 16 companies include: Arkema Inc.; Bayer Cropscience LP; FMC Corp.; Honeywell International Inc.; Lebanon Seaboard Corp.; Montrose Chemical Corp. of California; Occidental Chemical Corp.; Olin Corp.; Rohm and Haas Co.; Rhone-Poulenc; Shell Oil Co.; Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC; The Chemours Company FC, LLC; Union Carbide Corp.; Wilmington Securities Inc.; and 21st Century Fox America Inc.

The EPA-approved cleanup plan for contaminated soils and waste at the Central Chemical site includes on-site solidification and stabilization of a former waste lagoon; excavation, consolidation and capping of contaminated soils; and the installation of a ground water treatment system. EPA and the companies are still investigating cleanup of contaminated groundwater at the site.

From the early 1930s until the mid-1980s, Central Chemical Corp. blended agricultural pesticides and fertilizers at its Hagerstown facility. The pesticide blending operation involved mixing inert materials with pesticides manufactured elsewhere to produce commercial-grade products. Contaminants found at the site include pesticides and heavy metals.

The proposed consent decree, of which the state of Maryland is a party along with EPA, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court approval.

Source: U.S. EPA