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EPA Partners with K-State to Host Community Input Session March 10 for Former Superfund Site In Holden, Missouri

2 Comments

  1. Michael Carolan on March 6, 2022 at 9:50 pm

    CHECK THE FACTS

    2019 EPA report on cleanup alternatives for residents of Holden, Missouri:
    “No action”—or not cleaning the Holden Business Park—
    “WOULD NOT be protective of human health and the environment.”

    EPA Found PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) at Holden site but in “low concentrations” (2019) though science has proven any concentration of PCBs are dangerous.

    A plume of other toxic solvents flowing in water underground—from the SW portion of field stretching to the NW, along the tributary of the East Pin Oak Creek, toward the City’s Wastewater Treatment plant, off site downstream. (2020)

    EPA in 2019 and 2020 detected 30 out of 60 toxic contaminants.

    One toxic chemical called tetrachloroethylene or TCE, which causes
    kidney cancer & adverse neurological, developmental, immunological effects
    Suspected: leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease
    birth defects. Subject of lawsuits and 1998 film, “A Civil Action.”

    At Holden, TCE found in field at concentrations at 105,000 times the EPAs recommended removal management standard.

    TCE In shallow groundwater at 4,421 times the levels the agency considered safe for workers to inhale. Limits established for the health of employees who might occupy buildings that would be built above the contamination should the site be developed.

    TCE Supposed to be no greater than 1.9 parts per billion.
    But EPA measured at 8,400 parts per billion in Holden field.

    TCE found in soil vapor—the measured air in between soil particles—18 times higher than the agency threshold.
    EPA report said there are “indicators that vapor intrusion could be an issue if buildings are constructed at the site in the future.”

    EPA found a chemicals in the air of homes and businesses surrounding the site though at levels EPA calls safe.

    Other chemical: tetrachloroethylene (PCE)–likely carcinogenic to humans and irritates the upper respiratory tract and eyes, causes kidney dysfunction, and neurological effects.

    Found at 387 times higher than standard.

    All contaminants have been there for 40 years. Martha C. Rose Chemicals, Inc., opened 1981 and closed in 1986. EPA clean up: 1987-1996. Monitoring stopped 1999 after one year of inconclusive tests. EPA considered it a PCB-only site and did not require cleanup of any other toxic chemical.

    Sources: Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives Report, December 2019. Tetra Tech, Inc. to EPA
    Phase II Targeted Brownfields Assessment Report, Tetra Tech, Inc., December 2019.
    Removal Site Evaluation Report, Tetra Tech, Inc., February 2021.

    CHECK THE FACTS

    Contact mcarolan@clarku.edu.

  2. Michael Carolan on March 6, 2022 at 10:15 pm

    CHECK THE FACTS
    HOLDEN BUSINESS PARK aka Rose Chemicals Superfund Site, Holden, Missouri

    2019 EPA report on cleanup alternatives for residents of Holden, Missouri:
    “No action”—or not cleaning the Holden Business Park—
    “WOULD NOT be protective of human health and the environment.”

    EPA Found PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) at Holden site but in “low concentrations” (2019) though science has proven any concentrations of PCBs are dangerous.

    A plume of other toxic solvents flowing in water underground—from the SW portion of field stretching to the NW, along the tributary of the East Pin Oak Creek, toward the City’s Wastewater Treatment plant, and offsite downstream. (2020)

    EPA in 2019 and 2020 detected 30 out of 60 toxic contaminants.

    One toxic chemical called tetrachloroethylene or TCE, which causes
    kidney cancer & adverse neurological, developmental, immunological effects
    Suspected: leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease
    birth defects. Subject of lawsuits and 1998 film, “A Civil Action.”

    At Holden, TCE found in field at concentrations at 105,000 times the EPAs recommended removal management standard.

    TCE In shallow groundwater at 4,421 times the levels the agency considered safe for workers to inhale. Limits established for the health of employees who might occupy buildings that would be built above the contamination should the site be developed.

    TCE Supposed to be no greater than 1.9 parts per billion.
    But EPA measured at 8,400 parts per billion in Holden field.

    TCE found in soil vapor—the measured air in between soil particles—18 times higher than the agency threshold.

    EPA report said there are “indicators that vapor intrusion could be an issue if buildings are constructed at the site in the future.”

    EPA found chemicals in the air of homes and businesses surrounding the site though at levels EPA calls safe.

    Other chemical: tetrachloroethylene (PCE)–likely carcinogenic to humans and irritates the upper respiratory tract and eyes, causes kidney dysfunction, and neurological effects.

    Found at 387 times higher than standard.

    All contaminants have been on site for 40 years. Martha C. Rose Chemicals, Inc., opened 1981 and closed in 1986. EPA clean up: 1987-1996. Monitoring stopped 1999 after one year of inconclusive tests. EPA considered it a PCB-only site and did not require cleanup of any other toxic chemical.

    Sources:
     Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives Report, December 2019. Tetra Tech, Inc. to EPA.

     Phase II Targeted Brownfields Assessment Report, Tetra Tech, Inc., December 2019.

     Removal Site Evaluation Report, Tetra Tech, Inc., February 2021.

    CHECK THE FACTS

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