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Fact Sheet
August 2009
Announcing the Availability of the Third Five-Year Review Report, Wheeling Disposal Superfund Site, Amazonia, Andrew County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts regular five-year checkups, called 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 completed the third five-year review of the Wheeling Disposal site located about a one mile south of Amazonia, in Andrew County, Missouri.
EPA conducted the third five-year review in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to make sure the cleanup continues to protect human health and the environment. The results of this review are now available.
Background
The Wheeling Disposal Service Company operated a landfill that covers approximately 20 acres on a 200 acre site. The landfill was established in the early 1970s, and the facility received a state permit in 1975 to operate as an industrial waste disposal facility. Between 1980 and 1981, the company voluntarily ceased operations. The facility resumed operations under the authority of a special waste disposal permit issued by the state of Missouri. It voluntarily closed in 1986.
MDNR periodically inspected the site and monitored ground water when the landfill was in operation. Based on MDNR hazardous waste records, wastes containing pesticides, heavy metals, paint, solvents, and leather tanning sludge were disposed of in the landfill. EPA detected contaminants in monitoring well and springs on the site during field investigations.
The Wheeling Disposal Trust implemented a remedy which included well plugging, surface water monitoring, and upgrading the existing landfill cover to comply with state and federal standards. The remedy was completed in 1994. Long–term maintenance of the site and ground water monitoring are being conducted by the responsible parties.
Although the Wheeling Disposal Site has been cleaned up to an extent that allows for safe industrial use, some restrictions remain on the future use of the property. The Superfund law requires that a review of the conditions be performed every five years at sites where residual contamination in some way, restricts the use of a property. The five year reviews in 1999 and 2004 found the remedies that were in place to be protective of human health and the environment.
Five-Year Review
This five-year review included an examination of relevant site documents, a site inspection, and a review of ground and surface water monitoring information gathered since the previous five-year review.
The assessment of this third five-year review found that the remedy was constructed in accordance with the requirements of the Record of Decision and is functioning as designed. The results of this review indicate that the selected remedy is appropriate and is protective of human health.
The remedy was found to be protective of the environment, consistent with EPA guidance previously in effect. However, current EPA guidance, recommends an ecological risk assessment to ensure the remedy is protective of the environment.
Additional Information
The final report, signed May 27, 2009, was prepared and is available at the site information repositories and the EPA Region 7 Website at:
https://www.epa.gov/region07/cleanup/superfund/5year2009/3X5yr_review_wheeling_disposal_svc.pdf
Detailed site information, including the first and second five-year review reports, can be found at the following locations during normal business hours:
Rolling Hills Consolidated Library
514 W. Main St.
Savannah, Missouri
EPA Region 7 Records Center
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, Kansas
Questions or requests for information can be submitted to:
Fritz Hirter
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Toll free: 800-223-0425
E-mail: hirter.fritz@epa.gov