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Cleanup plan proposed for Columbiana County Superfund Site; comment period begins, meeting June 22

Release Date: 5/31/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT: William Omohundro, (312) 353-8254
Mick Hans, (312) 353-5050
Susan Pastor, (312) 353-1325

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA081

CHICAGO (May 31, 2005) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has proposed a cleanup plan for the Nease Chemical Superfund site, in Columbiana County, Ohio. A comment period will run during the month of June, with a public meeting on Wednesday, June 22, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Salem Public Library.

The 44-acre site is on Route 14, 2.5 miles northwest of Salem on the Columbiana-Mahoning county line. Between 1961 and 1973, Nease Chemical produced household cleaning products, fire retardants and pesticides at the site. It was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in 1983. EPA is most concerned about mirex, which was used in pesticide production and disposed of in soils and unlined ponds at the property. At high levels, mirex may cause damage to the skin, liver, and nervous or reproductive systems. EPA is also concerned about ground-water contamination beneath the site. On a separate track, a plan will be developed later for the nearby middle fork of Little Beaver Creek.

EPA, working in consultation with Ohio EPA, evaluated five cleanup options addressing four distinct areas of the site. The recommended $19 million plan includes a mix of innovative pond-chemical removal methods, soil capping and ground water treatment methods.

Beginning June 1, comments may be submitted electronically at www.epa.gov/region5/publiccomment/, in writing or orally at the public meeting, or may be faxed to Community Involvement Coordinator Susan Pastor at (312) 353-1155.

A detailed fact sheet is online at www.epa.gov/region5/sites/index.htm#nease. It will also be available at the public meeting. Site documents will be on file at the Salem Public Library, 821 E. State St., Lisbon's Lepper Library, 303 E. Lincoln Way, and Ohio EPA's Northeast District Office, 2110 E. Aurora, Twinsburg. Residents with questions or special accommodations needs at the public meeting may contact Pastor, (800) 621-8431, Ext. 31325 (weekdays 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.), or pastor.susan@epa.gov.