EPA settles with 16 companies over Superfund site

Aug. 18, 2015

PHILADELPHIA — The site is contaminated with pesticides and heavy metals.

PHILADELPHIA — Sixteen companies have settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more than $14.3 million over contamination at the Central Chemical Superfund site in Hagerstown, Md., according to a press release.

The companies will stabilize and cap waste and contaminated soils at the site, noted the release. They will also pay $945,000 for past costs, in addition to reimbursing the EPA for future cleanup costs.

"This settlement will fund a protective long-term solution to safely contain contaminated soils and waste on site," said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin in the release. "This remedy will protect the groundwater from further contamination by the wastes in the soil."

According to the release, the 16 companies include Arkema Inc.; Bayer Cropscience LP; FMC Corporation; Honeywell International Inc.; Lebanon Seaboard Corporation; Montrose Chemical Corporation of California; Occidental Chemical Corporation; Olin Corporation; Rohm and Haas Company; Rhone-Poulenc; Shell Oil Company; Syngenta Crop Protection LLC; The Chemours Company FC LLC; Union Carbide Corporation; Wilmington Securities Inc.; and 21st Century Fox America Inc.

A groundwater treatment system will be installed at the site, reported the release. The EPA and the settling companies are continuing an investigation into contaminated groundwater.

The site is contaminated with pesticides and heavy metals, shared the release. Central Chemical Corporation produced commercial grade fertilizers and pesticides at the facility from the early 1930s until the mid-1980s.

The public has 30 days to comment on the consent decree, which is subject  to court approval, noted the release.

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