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Fact Sheet
May 2009
EPA Announces Opportunity to Comment, PCB-Cleanup at the former Solutia - J. F. Queeny Facility, 1700 South Second Street, St. Louis, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources invite the public to review and comment on the proposed plan to conduct a cleanup of poly-chlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated soil at the former Solutia – J. F. Queeny facility in St. Louis, Mo.
The Administrative Record, which supports the proposed cleanup plan for the PCB-contaminated soils at the area of the facility known as the former VV Building, is also available for review. Information regarding the public comment period and locations of the Administrative Record is provided below.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The public is invited to comment on the proposed PCB cleanup plan, which is included in the February 2009 Interim Measures Work Plan for the former Solutia – J. F. Queeny facility. The Plan is co-located with the Administrative Record.
The proposed cleanup is a “risk-based” removal of soils contaminated with PCBs above100 parts per million (ppm). The Toxic Substances Control Act requires a public notice and comment period prior to EPA's approval of a PCB waste cleanup plan.
You Are Invited
The public is invited to review the Interim Measures Work Plan at the following locations during regular business hours:
St. Louis Public Library
Barr Branch
1701 S. Jefferson Ave.
St. Louis, Mo.
Main Branch
1301 Olive St.
St. Louis, Mo.
A 30-day public comment period runs May 11 through June 9, 2009. Written comments must be postmarked or e-mailed no later than June 9, 2009, and should be sent to
Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
901 North Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
E-mail: himes.beckie@epa.gov
EPA will prepare a written response to significant comments submitted during the public comment period. A response to comments will be included in the Administrative Record.
BACKGROUND
In 1901, the Monsanto Chemical Works began manufacturing Saccharin at this location. Until 2006, the Queeny plant manufactured over 200 products using over 800 raw materials, including fluids such as PydraulsÔ and SkydrolsÔ which contain PCBs. Between 1983 and 2005, a number of investigations were conducted at the facility by Monsanto, and most recently by Solutia.
The VV Building is a former production area at the facility where PCB-containing fluids were unloaded, stored in bulk, and then repackaged into smaller quantities (i.e., quarts, gallons, 5-gallon, and 55-gallon containers). The VV Building area includes a railcar unloading area where PCB fluids were unloaded and pumped into storage prior to repackaging for shipment. This area is primarily paved, with some of the area being covered with gravel and a rail spur.
SAMPLING RESULTS
In 1993, Monsanto replaced a section of track along the eastern side of the VV Building. During routine testing of soil for appropriate disposal, the soil was found to contain from 15 to 150 ppm of PCBs. Approximately 40 cubic yards of soil were removed and transported to an approved landfill for disposal.
In 2004, repairs were made to a water line in the northern portion of this area. The excavated soils were tested and found to contain PCBs. Approximately 150 cubic yards of excavated soil were removed and transported to an approved landfill for disposal.
Subsequent sampling conducted by Solutia, Monsanto's successor, has indicated soil contaminated with PCBs above 100 ppm remain in this area.
FACILITY CLEANUP AND REDEVELOPMENT PROGRESS
The Queeny facility was purchased in 2008 by SWH Investments II for cleanup and redevelopment as commercial space and warehousing. Since purchasing the facility, the structures have been demolished and the materials have been segregated into ferrous metal, non-ferrous metals, and scrap all for offsite disposal.
An estimated 25,000 lbs of aluminum; 120,000 lbs of copper; 90,000 lbs of stainless steel; and 3,500 tons of carbon steel are slated for recycling, some of which has already been provided to local recyclers. In addition, concrete structures, footings, and slabs will either be incorporated into future development or removed and crushed for onsite use as building and road base, and infilling of excavations.
EPA believes that the proposed risk-based cleanup level of 100 ppm for PCBs at an industrial site is protective of human health and the environment for the following reasons:
- All excavated areas will be covered with clean fill and are planned to be capped by asphalt and/or buildings, limiting the risk of future exposure to soils.
- A review of historical ground water monitoring data demonstrates no down gradient impact by PCBs before the removal, and therefore future impact (after removal) is not likely.
- If the future use of the Facility changes to residential, the owner of the Facility is required to remove any remaining PCBs to a more protective level (10 ppm).
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD
EPA has compiled the Administrative Record for the Interim Measures Cleanup of the PCB-contaminated soils and debris. The Administrative Record is the official site record and contains documents used to make decisions at this site, such as the Interim Measures Work Plan and other reports. The Administrative Record is available at the following locations and may be reviewed during normal business hours:
St. Louis Public Library
Barr Branch
1701 S. Jefferson Ave.
St. Louis, Mo.
St. Louis Public Library
Main Branch
1301 Olive St.
St. Louis, Mo.
EPA Region 7
Records Center
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, Kan.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
901 North Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7253
Toll-free 1-800-223-0425
E-mail: himes.beckie@epa.gov