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Fact Sheet

December 2011

Fourth Five-Year Review to Begin, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Superfund Site (DuPont - County Road X-23), Lee County, Iowa

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducts regular five-year reviews on Superfund sites where cleanups have been completed. These reviews are required by the Superfund law [42 U.S.C. Section 9621 (c)]. EPA Region 7 has initiated its fourth five-year review of the E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont- County Road X-23) Superfund Site in Lee County, Iowa.

SITE BACKGROUND

The Site consists of the Baier and McCarl subsites and is located approximately 3.5 miles south of West Point, Iowa.

From 1949 through 1953, an estimated 48,000 to 72,000 55-gallon drums of waste from DuPont’s paint manufacturing plant in Fort Madison, Iowa, were disposed at the two subsites. In addition to drummed wastes, paint waste was placed in trenches and burned. The Baier subsite was the primary disposal area; however, during inclement weather when the Baier site was not accessible, wastes were disposed at the McCarl subsite. Volatile organic compounds and metals contamination were found at the subsites.

Under EPA oversight from 1992 to 1993, DuPont excavated contaminated soil from both subsites and utilized a process of stabilization/solidification to treat the soil before placing all the treated soil into the excavated area at the Baier subsite. The treated soil was then covered with clean soil and grass. The Baier subsite was fenced to keep people off the site and to protect the cover. Land use restrictions are currently in place on the Baier subsite. DuPont continues to own and maintain both subsites. The conclusions of the third five-year review were that the remedy was functioning as intended and was protective of human health and the environment.

FIVE-YEAR REVIEW

EPA will study site information during this fourth five-year review and inspect the site to determine if the remedy continues to protect human health and the environment. EPA encourages members of the community to ask questions and report any concerns about the site. A final report will be prepared at the end of the review and will be available at the site information repositories.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The site administrative record is available during normal business hours at the following locations:

EPA Superfund Records Center
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas

Idol Raschid Memorial Library
1920 Avenue E
Fort Madison, Iowa

Questions or requests for information can be submitted to:

Ben Washburn
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7364
Toll-free: (800) 223-0425
Email: washburn.ben@epa.gov

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