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Fact Sheet
April 2007
Third Five-Year Review to Begin, Syntex Facility Superfund Site, Verona, Lawrence County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 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. Section 9621 (c)]. EPA Region 7 and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources have initiated their third five-year review of the Syntex Facility site in Verona, Lawrence County, Missouri.
SITE BACKGROUND
In the 1960s, the facility was operated by Hoffman-Taff, Inc., and produced 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) for the U.S. Army as an ingredient in the defoliant commonly known as Agent Orange. In 1968, a portion of the facility was leased to the Northeastern Pharmaceutical and Chemical Company, to produce hexachlorophene. In 1969, the facility was purchased by Syntex Agribusiness, Inc. (Syntex).
Dioxin (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) was created as an unwanted byproduct in the production of 2,4,5-T and hexachlorophene. The dioxin contaminated waste was managed in tanks and lagoons located at the site. Dioxin is considered by EPA to be an extremely toxic contaminant.
Under EPA oversight, Syntex performed cleanup activities beginning in 1983 and continuing until 1998. During the cleanup, processing equipment at the facility was decontaminated and transported offsite for disposal. Dioxin-contaminated soils were excavated and transported offsite for treatment and disposal. A disposal trench located on the bluffs west of the Spring River was first covered with clay, then topsoil, and grass was planted to protect the cover. A gravel channel was also installed to intercept ground water before it could contact the disposal trench. A series of monitoring wells were installed to evaluate and monitor the impact of the site on local ground water quality. A risk assessment report considered the results of the ground water monitoring. This risk assessment is currently under review by EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
FIVE-YEAR REVIEW
EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources will study site information during this third five-year review and inspect the site to determine if the remedy continues to protect human health and the environment. EPA and the state encourage members of the community to ask questions and report any concerns about the site.
A final report will be prepared at the end of the review and will be available at the site information repositories.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The site administrative record is available at the following locations during normal business hours:
EPA Records Center
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, Kan.
Verona City Hall
101 N. Third St.
Verona, Mo.
Questions or requests for information can be submitted to:
Fritz Hirter
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7003
Toll free: (800) 223-0425
E-mail: hirter.fritz@epa.gov
