EPA Releases Final Health Assessment for TCE

On September 28, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the release of its Final Health Assessment for trichloroethylene.  The final assessment characterizes the chemical as carcinogenic to humans and as a human noncancer health hazard.

TCE is one of the most common man-made chemicals found in the environment.  A chlorinated hydrocarbon, it was widely used as an industrial solvent and is now prevalent at Superfund and other sites across the country.  EPA already has set a maximum contaminant level for TCE at 5 parts per billion, with a maximum contaminant level goal of 0 ppb.  It has also established standards for cleaning up TCE at Superfund sites throughout the country.  Additional information regarding TCE may be found at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' website.

Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Research and Development, reported:

This assessment is an important first step, providing valuable information to the state, local and federal agencies responsible for protecting the health of the American people.  It underscores the importance of EPA's science and, in particular, the critical value of the IRIS database for ensuring that government officials and the American people have the information they need to protect their health and the health of their children.

TCE toxicity values as reported in the assessment will be considered in:

• Establishing cleanup methods at the 761 Superfund sites where TCE has been identified as a contaminant;
• Understanding the risk from vapor intrusion as TCE vapors move from contaminated groundwater and soil into the indoor air of overlying buildings;
• Revising EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level for TCE as part of the carcinogenic volatile organic compounds group in drinking water, as described in the agency’s drinking water strategy; and
• Developing appropriate regulatory standards limiting the atmospheric emissions of TCE – a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act.

For more information regarding this matter, please contact Eric Adair or the KMTG attorney with whom you normally consult.

EPA Orders $60 Million Cleanup of Aerojet Superfund Site in Sacramento County

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is ordering a $60 million clean-up of rocket fuel-polluted groundwater at the Aerojet Superfund Site in Sacramento County.

In its press release, the EPA stated that a 27-square mile swath of groundwater underneath and around the former aerospace facility is polluted with several compounds, including very high levels of perchlorate – a main component of rocket fuel – and a known developmental toxin.  Aerojet, under the direction of the EPA, will contain the underground plume to prevent it from spreading into nearby rivers and streams.  Future plans will also treat groundwater within the site’s boundaries.

Speaking of the order, EPA Region 9 Administrator Jared Blumental said:

This cleanup tackles the worst areas first to prevent toxic chemicals from fouling any additional water sources.  Not only is EPA holding Aerojet accountable for its pollution, but we want to assure local residents that they will have safe drinking water for years to come as the company works to restore the underground aquifer.

The Aerojet site, according to the EPA, covers 8,500 acres near Rancho Cordova, 15 miles east of Sacramento, and is about 1/2 mile from the American River.  Since 1953, Aerojet and its subsidiaries have manufactured liquid and solid propellant rocket engines for military and commercial applications and have formulated a number of chemicals, including rocket propellant agents, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and other industrial chemicals.  In addition, the Cordova Chemical Company operated chemical manufacturing facilities on the Aerojet complex from 1974 to 1979.

Additional information regarding the Aerojet Superfund site may be found at the EPA’s site overview page.

For more information regarding this matter, please contact Eric Adair or the KMTG attorney with whom you normally consult.

EPA Orders $20 Million Cleanup of San Gabriel Valley Superfund Site

The United States Environmental Protection Agency announced yesterday that it has ordered Northrup Grumman Systems Corporation to spend $20 million to build a groundwater cleanup system to address groundwater contamination emanating from the former Benchmark Technology facility in the City of Industry.

According to the EPA, the site is one of the largest sources of volatile organic compound groundwater contamination in the Puente Valley area of the San Gabriel Valley Superfund site.  The system to be installed will include a series of monitoring wells and a treatment plant to contain and treat groundwater contaminated by VOCs and 1,4-dioxane.  The treated water will then be discharged as surface water or injected back into the underground acquifer.

Speaking of the order, EPA Region 9 Adminstrator Jared Blumenfeld said:

Today’s order will protect the essential drinking water supplies in the San Gabriel Valley. The treatment system is designed to intercept the most highly contaminated groundwater plume and prevent it from migrating further. Once again, EPA is taking action requiring the company responsible for the pollution to pay for its cleanup in Puente Valley.

In other California-related EPA news, the EPA announced today that it has added two California sites to the National Priorities List -- the Blue Ledge Mine (abandoned mine) within the Rogue River - Siskiyou National Forest and the New Idria Mercury Mine (abandoned mercury mine) in Idria.  Two other sites have been proposed for the NPL -- Jervis B. Webb Co. (former manufacturer) and Seam Master Industries (adhesive manufacturer), both in South Gate.

For more information regarding this matter, please contact Eric Adair or the KMTG attorney with whom you normally consult.