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International Mineral and Chemical Corp (IMC)
National Information
Photos/Multimedia
International Mineral and Chemical Corp (IMC) site
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- Additional Site Photos
- Site Video
Additional Resources
- Site Cleanup Terms - can be found in EPA's glossary
- EPA Guides to Cleanup Technologies
- Superfund Community Involvement (PDF) (17 pp, 130K, About PDF)
Site Summary Profile
EPA ID: SCD003350493Location: Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, SC
Congressional District: 04
NPL Status: Superfund Alternative Approach
Cleanup Status: Additional cleanup activities are being planned
Site Reuse/Redevelopment: Currently unused
Site Manager: Giezelle Bennett (bennett.giezelle@epa.gov)
Site Background
The International Mineral and Chemical Corp. (IMC) site is an approximately 41-acre site located in the Arkwright neighborhood just south of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Surrounding properties include residential, industrial, and undeveloped areas. The site is bordered by an abandoned dump (the Arkwright Dump site), an active chemical manufacturing facility to the south, and Mt. Vernon Mills to the west.
The fertilizer facility operated from about 1910 until closure in 1987 for nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer production. The primary operations at the site included:
- A sulfuric acid production process constructed in 1947 and ope rated until 1970.
- A superphosphate production process that continued until 1987.
- A fertilizer mixing operation that continued, with some process modifications, until 1987.
Before the 1970s, the plant had two primary lagoons, one for scrubber water and the other for plant sewage. Later, the sewage lagoon was expanded and divided into two lagoons: one for scrubber water and the other for storm water.
Only the security fence, some asphalt paving, the concrete floors to the main fertilizer building, the office and garage areas, and the former above ground bulk fuel storage area remain. The concrete potash storage area and a concrete pad north of the former trestle also remain.
The site is located in a 500-acre area that is the focus of a nationally-recognized revitalization effort known as the ReGenesis project. This project is led by the community organization, ReGenesis, Inc., and supported by numerous Federal, State, and local partners, including EPA, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), and the City and County of Spartanburg.
Threats and Contaminants
Results from an in-depth site investigation conducted from 2004-2007 indicate that approximately 6,000 cubic yards of process residuals (material from the plant's operation) and 700 cubic yards of soil require cleanup. The primary contaminants of concern are arsenic, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead, fluoride, 2,4-Dinitrotoluene (DNT), and 2,6-DNT.
Individuals may potentially be exposed to site contaminants located in surface and subsurface soil through skin contact or accidental ingestion.
Site Cleanup Plan
A Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) to identify the nature and extent of remaining site contamination and identify cleanup alternatives was initiated in 2004. The site was evaluated for and will no underdo a Non-Time-Critical Removal Action (NTCRA), to address additional contaminated soil and fertilizer residuals.
Major components of the Proposed Action Plan include:
- The excavation of affected soil and process residuals.
- Placement of a buffering/neutralizing chemical at the base of the excavations, backfill, and grade for positive drainage.
- On-site consolidation of the excavated materials under a cover system that also covers potential source areas in the former sulfuric acid plant area.
- Inspection and removal of the on-site explosives bunker under the supervision and direction of an explosives expert.
- Implementation of a ground water monitoring program.
Cleanup Progress
In 1987 when the plant closed, the lagoons were dredged and cleaned. Monitoring wells were also installed.
In 1999, Vigindustries, a subsidiary of IMC Global, deconstructed the remaining facility buildings.
A removal action was conducted by Vigindustries in 2002. Soil in the former pond area was removed, along with fertilizer residuals and existing stockpiles. Approximately 15,500 tons of soil were removed and sent off-site for disposal.
Site cleanup activities are being led primarily by potentially responsible parties with oversight by EPA.
From 2010 – 2011, a non-time critical removal action (NTCRA) was conducted. Contaminated soil and process residuals were excavated and disposed off-site. A buffering/neutralizing chemical was placed at the base of the excavations, followed by backfilling, and grading for positive drainage. Inspection and removal of the on-site explosives bunker under the supervision and direction of an explosives expert was also completed. Currently, the ground water is being monitored.
Enforcement Activities
In July 2001, EPA and Vigindustries entered into an Administrative Order by Consent (consent order) to conduct an RI/FS and a removal action at the IMC site. In October 2009, EPA and Vigindustries entered into an Administrative Order by Consent (consent order) to conduct the NTCRA.
Community Involvement
EPA has conducted a range of community involvement activities at the IMC site to solicit community input and to ensure that the public remains informed about site activities throughout the site cleanup process. Outreach activities have included fact sheets and presentations (shown below), public notices, and information meetings on cleanup progress and activities.
In the summer of 2009, EPA hosted two public meetings to explain the proposed cleanup to be conducted at the IMC site. The meetings were held at the C. C. Woodson Recreation Center in Spartanburg. Oral and written comments were accepted at the meeting.
Community residents have also been actively engaged in discussions regarding future use of the IMC site and other unused properties located within the ReGenesis project area.
Future Work
The groundwater is currently being monitored.
Site Administrative Documents
Site Repository
For more information or to view any site-related documents, please visit the site information repository at the following location. As new documents are generated, they will be placed in the information repository for public information.
Spartanburg Headquarters Library
151 South Church Street
Spartanburg, SC 29306
For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office.