Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
VIGO COUNTY
TERRE HAUTE

Congressional District # 8

INTERNATIONAL MINERALS (E. PLANT)

EPA ID# INT190010876
Last Updated: April, 2008

Site Description

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 Railroads and on the east 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 is being addressed through federal, state, and potentially responsible parties' actions.

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 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 was 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 a performance review every five years. 

In June 1985, as part of the five-year review and as required under the ROD, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management conducted a site inspection to review the protectiveness of the clay cap and monitoring system. A five-year review was signed for this site on March 29, 1999.  The results of the five-year review have indicated that the clay cap, fencing, and groundwater monitoring program remain operational and functional. The 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 the United States Environmental Protection Agency's established maximum contaminant level goal of 0.2 µg/l. A follow up five year review was conducted and signed on April 26, 2004 and again showed that the Lindane was not detected in groundwater and that the remedy has been functioning as intended.  The IMC East Plant site was deleted from the NPL on February 11, 1991.

The next Five Year Review is scheduled to be completed by April 2009.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
demaree collier (collier.demaree@epa.gov)
(312) 886-0214

 

Aliases

IMC TERRE HAUTE EAST PLANT
TERRE HAUTE EAST PLT
IMC TERRE HAUTE EAST PLT

 

Site Profile Information

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