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Indiana Click here to proceed to Terre Haute IMC (TERRE HAUTE EAST PLANT) http://www.epa.gov/reg5sfun/sfd/npl/indiana/IND190010876.htm 7 0.90 IMC (TERRE HAUTE EAST PLANT) http://www.epa.gov/reg5sfun/sfd/npl/indiana/INT190010876.htm 8 0.90 IMC (Terre Haute East Plant)- (Med. Prior.) http://www.epa.gov/reg5sfun/sfd/ej/imc.htm Little League teams and residents in Terre Haute, Indiana, enjoy the baseball fields and park that recently replaced one of the area's oldest industrial properties. Since World War I, a number of tenants have occupied an old factory on the property, and manufactured such products as acetone, pesticides, and penicillin. Wastes from these various operations contaminated the groundwater and soil with toxic chemicals, including chloroform and lindane. In 1986, EPA added the site to its list of hazardous waste sites needing cleanup. International Minerals Corporation cleaned the site by consolidating contaminated soils and building a protective cover over the waste, and pumping and treating the groundwater. The site is now a safe place for young and old alike to enjoy. EPA REGION 5 Site DescriptionThe IMC East Plant site is located in Vigo County, approximately 1.8 miles east of the Wabash River and one mile north of Thompson Ditch in a semi-industrial area of Terre Haute, Indiana. The 37-acre plant site is bordered on the west by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad and on the west by the Louisville Railroad. The disposal area encompasses approximately six acres in the northeastern portion of the plant site. In 1946, Commercial Solvents Corporation (CSC) used a six- acre segment of this property for manufacturing, packaging, and warehousing of technical grade benzene hexachloride (BHC-tech.). BHC-tech. is a mixture of several isomers, primarily alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. BHC-tech. produced at this site was not purified to produce the gamma isomer of BHC (known as Lindane). This material was sold to insecticide manufacturers as a raw material for the production of an insecticide for control of the cotton boll weevil. Production of BHC-tech. at this facility ceased in 1954. CSC was purchased by International Minerals and Chemical Corporation (IMC) in mid-1975. Threats and ContaminantsGroundwater and soils were contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and low levels of BHC. Due to the nature of this chemical, it is unlikely that it migrated into the local water supply system. During sampling, three residential wells were found to contain chloroform and associated derivatives at or above the maximum contaminant level for safe drinking water. The removal of the source of contamination resulted in the reduction of contaminants to within safety levels. Potential health threats included direct contact with or inhalation of contaminated soils and accidental ingestion of contaminated groundwater. Cleanup ProgressAs a result of a 1979 Remedial Investigation (RI) conducted by IMC, presence of BHC-tech residues at the IMC East Plant site were confirmed. Approximately, 18,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil, rubble, piping and other debris were excavated and placed in a secure clay capped mound. Soil samples were collected and analyzed to assure removal of all soils containing BHC-tech in excess of 50 mg/kg. The IMC East Plant site was proposed for inclusion on the National Priorities List (NPL) in October, 1984, and included as final on the NPL in June, 1986. A Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in June 22, 1988. The ROD specified semi-annual groundwater monitoring, maintenance of cap and site security, deed restrictions, and performance review every five years. In June, 1985, as part of the Five-Year Review required under the ROD, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) conducted a site inspection to review the protectiveness of the clay cap and monitoring system. The results of the Five-Year Review has indicated that the clay cap, fencing, and groundwater monitoring program remain operational and functional. Gamma isomer of BHC-tech (commercially known as Lindane) was not detected in the groundwater indicating that the levels of lindane are declining and are now below USEPA established maximum contaminant level goal of 0.2 µg/l. The IMC East Plant site was deleted from the NPL on February 11, 1991. ContactNanjunda Gowda http://www.epa.gov/R5Super/npl/indiana/IND190010876.htm Terre Haute, Vigo CountyIMC TERRE HAUTE EAST PLANTMedium Priority Those NPL Sites that are at or exceed the state percentage for low income and/or total minorities but less than two times the state percentage for low income and/or minorities.
The IMC East Plant site is located in Vigo County, approximately 1.8 miles east of the Wabash River and one mile north of Thompson Ditch in a semi-industrial area of Terre Haute, Indiana. The 37-acre plant site is bordered on the west by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad and on the west by the Louisville Railroad. The disposal area encompasses approximately six acres in the northeastern portion of the plant site. In 1946, Commercial Solvents Corporation (CSC) used a six- acre segment of this property for manufacturing, packaging, and warehousing of technical grade benzene hexachloride (BHC-tech.). BHC-tech. is a mixture of several isomers, primarily alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. BHC-tech. produced at this site was not purified to produce the gamma isomer of BHC (known as Lindane). This material was sold to insecticide manufacturers as a raw material for the production of an insecticide for control of the cotton boll weevil. Production of BHC-tech. at this facility ceased in 1954. CSC was purchased by International Minerals and Chemical Corporation (IMC) in mid-1975. Site Responsibility: This site was addressed through Federal, State, and potentially responsible parties actions. NPL LISTING HISTORY Proposed Date: 10/15/84 Final Date: 06/10/86 Deletion Date: 02/11/91 Threats and Contaminants Groundwater and soils were contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and low levels of BHC. Due to the nature of this chemical, it is unlikely that it migrated into the local water supply system. During sampling, three residential wells were found to contain chloroform and associated derivatives at or above the maximum contaminant level for safe drinking water. The removal of the source of contamination resulted in the reduction of contaminants to within safety levels. Potential health threats included direct contact with or inhalation of contaminated soils and accidental ingestion of contaminated groundwater. Cleanup Progress As a result of a 1979 Remedial Investigation (RI) conducted by IMC, presence of BHC-tech residues at the IMC East Plant site were confirmed. Approximately, 18,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil, rubble, piping and other debris were excavated and placed in a secure clay capped mound. Soil samples were collected and analyzed to assure removal of all soils containing BHC-tech in excess of 50 mg/kg. The IMC East Plant site was proposed for inclusion on the National Priorities List (NPL) in October, 1984, and included as final on the NPL in June, 1986. A Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in June 22, 1988. The ROD specified semi-annual groundwater monitoring, maintenance of cap and site security, deed restrictions, and performance review every five years. In June, 1985, as part of the Five-Year Review required under the ROD, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) conducted a site inspection to review the protectiveness of the clay cap and monitoring system. The results of the Five-Year Review has indicated that the clay cap, fencing, and groundwater monitoring program remain operational and functional. Gamma isomer of BHC-tech (commercially known as Lindane) was not detected in the groundwater indicating that the levels of lindane are declining and are now below USEPA established maximum contaminant level goal of 0.2 µg/l. The IMC East Plant site was deleted from the NPL on February 11, 1991. Contaminants TableConcentrations are the highest reported for each contaminant/medium
combination in the ATSDR site contaminant list. http://atsdr1.atsdr.cdc.gov
ppb = parts per billion; ppm = parts per million; NR = not reported Because some contaminants are more toxic than others, those present in the highest concentrations may not constitute the most important threat at a given site. Nonagricultural use of pesticides in the White River Basin is not as well documented as agricultural use. Insecticides typically account for a larger percentage of the total amount of pesticides used in urban areas than in agricultural areas. The insecticides allethrin, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, lindane, malathion, and propoxur, and the herbicides 2,4-D, MCPP, and glyphosate commonly are used in urban areas. |
