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Fact Sheet

September 2007

EPA Announces Time Critical Removal, Show Me Chrome Superfund Site, Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, will conduct a Time-Critical Removal action at the Show Me Chrome Superfund Site beginning September 2007. The Show Me Chrome Site is an abandoned hazardous waste site that is being cleaned up under the EPA Superfund Program. The site is located at 3855 County Road 180, Carthage, Jasper County, Missouri. The hazardous substances at the site are used and unused chrome-plating-related chemicals and waste.

SITE BACKGROUND

The Show Me Chrome site is located northeast of Joplin, Missouri, and southwest of Carthage, Missouri in a rural, lightly residential area. It is mostly surrounded by agricultural property. The business was formerly housed in a steel building located on approximately one fourth to one half acre of land. The building is located on the northwest corner of the property. Because the site is close to the road and not secure, it has been the target of a number of break-ins. Two thousand gallons of abandoned hazardous waste remain at the site.

HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS

Several site visits by EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources confirmed the presence of multiple process tanks containing abandoned hazardous liquid waste. The site visits also determined that there were abandoned hazardous liquids stored in a non-secure manner. There is no electricity in the building; therefore, there is no way to control the climate. As a result, some of the tanks showed stress due to freezing and thawing of the liquids stored in the tanks. Because there have been break-ins at the site, there is a risk that trespassers or vandals could be injured, or their actions could result in a release of hazardous substances into the environment.

TIME-CRITICAL REMOVAL

During the Time-Critical Removal, all containers of hazardous substances will be removed from the site and will be disposed of in a manner consistent with the Superfund Law.

Specific tasks included in the removal are listed below:

The above actions represent the best way to reduce the threats posed by these materials.

Full mobilization of equipment and supplies will begin on September 10, 2007. On-site consolidation and bulking of wastes are expected to take three to five working days. Off-site waste disposal may require two to four weeks once the consolidation activities are complete.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have questions or need additional information, contact:

Belinda Young
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
901 N. Fifth Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
(800) 223-0425
young.belinda@epa.gov

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