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Fact Sheet
November 2005
Five-Year Review Completed - LaBounty Superfund Site, Charles City, Iowa
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts regular five-year reviews on Superfund sites where cleanups have been completed. These reviews are required by the Superfund law [42 U.S.C. ' 9621(c)]. EPA Region 7 and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) have completed their third five-year review of the LaBounty Superfund site in Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa.
SITE BACKGROUND
The site is located in Charles City, Iowa, on the Cedar River flood plain.
From 1953 to 1977 Salsbury Laboratories (later Solvay Animal Health, Inc.), a manufacturer of veterinary pharmaceuticals, disposed of sludges containing various compounds and metals on the site. This has resulted in the contamination of a shallow ground water aquifer that connects to the Cedar River.
Investigations by the EPA and IDNR in 1977 and 1978 revealed that waste components were being leached and transported from the disposal site by ground water to the Cedar River.
In 1977 IDNR issued an Administrative Order that required the owner, Salsbury Laboratories, to prevent runoff, cease operations, and submit a plan for the removal of the wastes.
The parties potentially responsible for the site contamination installed a groundwater monitoring system in 1979 and a clay cap in 1980. In 1983 the site was placed on the National Priorities List (NPL).
The capping has reduced the leaching of wastes located above the water
table. However, capping was not effective in reducing pollutant leaching
where wastes were placed below the water table. In 1985 the EPA and Salsbury
entered into an Administrative Order on Consent. Between 1985 and 1986
under EPA oversight, the potentially responsible parties installed an
upgradient ground water diversion wall. The wall diverted ground water
around the fill material into the Cedar River. In 1989 Salsbury Laboratories,
Inc. merged with Solvay Veterinary, Inc. to form Solvay Animal Health,
Inc. (Solvay). Solvay later became known as Fort Dodge Animal Health,
a division of American Home Products Corporation, and is currently called
Wyeth. This company continues to sample monitoring wells and the Cedar
River. The site was deleted from the NPL in 1993.
FIVE YEAR REVIEWS
Five-year reviews were conducted on this site in 1992 and 2000. These reviews determined the remedy remained protective of human health and the environment.
This third five-year review included a physical inspection of the site, a review of site documents, and a review of monitoring and analytical data. The inspection showed the site is being maintained appropriately and all immediate threats have been addressed. This third five-year review concluded the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment.
The next five-year review is scheduled to be conducted in 2010.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The complete Five-Year Review Report and other detailed site information are part of the Site Administrative Record and are available at the following locations during normal business hours:
Charles City Public Library
106 Milwaukee Mall
Charles City, Iowa
EPA Records Center
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas
If you have questions or need more information on this site or the five-year review process, please contact:
Fritz Hirter
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7003
Toll Free: (800) 223-0425
E-mail: hirter.fritz@epa.gov
