Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
KALAMAZOO COUNTY
KALAMAZOO

Congressional District # 06

AUTO ION CHEMICALS, INC.

EPA ID# MID980794382
Last Updated: September, 2008

Site Description

The Auto Ion Chemicals, Inc., Superfund site is a 1.5 acre site, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  From 1914 to 1956, the city of Kalamazoo operated a coal burning electrical generating station on the site.  Between 1964 and 1973, chromium plating wastes were treated at the Auto Ion site.  Liquid waste was stored in an open air lagoon and in five process storage tanks in an onsite building basement.  Approximately 122,000 gallons of liquid plating wastes and sludges were stored in other various locations onsite.  During the plant's operation, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) documented numerous pollution discharges to the soil, groundwater, and surface water of the adjacent Kalamazoo River.  MDNR ordered Auto Ion to cease operations in 1973.  The closest residence is located about 500 feet north of the site.  Approximately 2,300 residents live within one-half mile of the site. 

Site Responsibility

This site was addressed through PRP-lead actions conducted under federal enforcement authorities.

Threats and Contaminants

Groundwater was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethene (TCE) and vinyl chloride, and several heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and nickel.  Chromium, nickel, chloride, and cyanide were detected in surface water and sediment samples collected from the Kalamazoo River.  Site soil was contaminated with chromium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel, cyanide, and organic contaminants, known as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).  Potential health risks existed from ingestion of contaminated groundwater or soils. 

Cleanup Progress

Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) oversight, the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) removed contaminants from the surface of the site in 1985.  The abandoned building was torn down in 1986, and the debris was removed. Additionally, the entire site was fenced to prevent access to contaminated soil and groundwater. In 1993, forty-two PRPs, working under a Consent Decree, excavated approximately 24,000 tons of soil that was contaminated with chromium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, nickel, cyanide, and organic PAHs.  All soil excavation work was overseen by U.S. EPA. The contaminated soil was taken to licensed and managed landfills in Ohio and Michigan, and the site was backfilled with clean soil.  The soil excavation eliminated the risk of people coming into direct contact with the contaminated soil and removed the major source of contamination to underlying groundwater. 

The final remedy selected by U.S. EPA in 1994 called for long-term monitoring of groundwater to ensure contaminants remain at levels that do not raise concerns about adverse impacts to the Kalamazoo River.  Under a 1996 Consent Decree, the PRPs installed new monitoring wells in 1997 and began to routinely monitor groundwater.  To date, levels of contaminants in onsite monitoring wells have not raised a concern about impacts to the river.  Deed restrictions will be placed on the property to prevent future use of groundwater.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
mary tierney (tierney.mary@epa.gov)
(312) 886-4785

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
bob paulson
(312) 886-0272

Aliases

AUTO ION CHEMICALS, INC
AUTO ION CHEMICALS INC

 

Site Profile Information

This profile provides you with information on EPA's cleanup progress at this Superfund site.