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NPL Site Narrative for Ross Metals Inc
ROSS METALS INC
Rossville, Tennessee
Federal Register Notice: April 1, 1997Conditions at Proposal (June 1996): Ross Metals Inc is located in Rossville, Fayette County, Tennessee. The facility is bordered by a wetland to the north and northeast, a municipal wastewater treatment plant to the west, the Southern Railroad tracks to the south, and residential property due east.
Ross Metals operated as a secondary lead smelter from 1978 until June 1992. Prior to Ross Metals Inc ownership, the land was undisturbed. Ross Metals Inc received spent lead acid batteries, lead oxide, scrap metal, and other lead waste and material from various business and industry, including battery crackers and battery manufacturers. Processes included not only the smelting of lead and other scrap metals, but a variety of other products such as crushed drums, limestone, steel, and cast iron, which were added to create flux.
EPA Region 4 Environmental Services Division sampled Ross Metals Inc in November 1990. During this investigation, surface water was sampled. Results indicated elevated levels of lead, barium, cadmium, and zinc.
Two municipal wells, located within 0.25 mile, are used by the City of Rossville Water Department to serve approximately 446 persons. The Kellogg Corporation also operates a food processing plant utilizing three on-site wells within the 0.25-mile radius. These wells are used in production and serve approximately 300 employees. One well was sampled during an EPA investigation in June 1995. During this investigation site attributable contaminants were detected in the sampled well. Several private potable wells are also located within a 4-mile radius of the site.
History suggests that wastewater discharge, as well as waste run-off, was collected in the northeast portion of the facility, and discharged into the wetland area north/northeast of the site. The wetland was sampled during an EPA investigation in June 1995. During this investigation site attributable contaminants were detected in the wetland north/northeast of the site.
Status (April 1997): In September 1994, EPA began a removal action at the site. Approximately 4,400 gallons, 170 tons, and 1,700 cubic yards of waste were removed. An estimated 30,000 tons of slag remain stockpiled in the various buildings on site. There are approximately 30,000-40,000 tons of landfilled slag, contaminated soil, and sediment remaining on site and on adjacent properties. Lead is the primary contaminant of concern. EPA is currently investigating the extent of contamination in the ground water, surface water, soil, and sensitive environments on and near the facility that are known to have been contaminated by facility operations.
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.