U.S., Maryland Settle with 16 Companies for Cleanup

PHILADELPHIA (Aug. 17, 2015) The E.P.A. today announced a settlement involving 16 companies that have agreed to stabilize and cap waste and contaminated soils at the Central Chemical Superfund location in Hagerstown, Md. for in excess of $14.3 million. In addition, the companies will reimburse E.P.A. $945,000 for past costs and reimburse E.P.A. for future costs related to its ongoing oversight of the cleanup.

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

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, Incorporated

The EPA-approved cleanup project for contaminated soils and waste at the Central Chemical location includes on-site solidification and stabilization of a former waste lagoon; excavation, consolidation, and capping of contaminated soils; and the installation of a ground water treatment system. E.P.A. and the companies are still investigating cleanup of contaminated groundwater at the site.

From the early 1930's until the mid-1980's, Central Chemical Corporation blended agricultural pesticides and fertilizers at its Hagerstown facility. The pesticide blending operation involved mixing inert materials with pesticides manufactured elsewhere to produce commercial grade products. Contaminants found at the location include pesticides and heavy metals.

The suggested consent decree, of which the State of Maryland is a party along with EPA, is subject to a 30-day public review period and court approval.

For more information about the location cleanup: http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/npl/MDD003061447.htm

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