Hazardous Waste Cleanup: BASF Corporation in Williamsburg, Virginia
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
VA DEQ’s review comments addressing the Site–Wide Soil Risk Assessment, BASF Corporation dated September 15, 2003, were sent to the facility in a letter dated October 17, 2007. In addition, the Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ’s) comments addressing the Corrective Action Plan: Area 2 -Truswood Property, dated October 14, 2004, were sent to the facility in a letter dated October 25, 2007.
Cleanup Status
On October 10, 2008, USEPA issued a Final Determination of no further action for soils at undeveloped Areas 1A through 1E, and groundwater in the undeveloped Areas 1C and 1E
The Final Focused Corrective Measures Study for Area 4 C was submitted in August 2011, and approved by the Department and approved by the Department on November 7, 2011. Based on recent developments regarding the potential future use in this area, the facility is currently evaluating other options in Area 4C.
BASF has, and is currently, investigating and remediating soil and groundwater at the facility at additional areas. The BASF facility remaining under investigation is segmented into Parcel Areas under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action (CA) and will be addressed through currently ongoing and future investigations and actions.
Site Description
Interactive Map of BASF Corporation, Williamsburg, Virginia
View larger mapThe BASF, Williamsburg, Virginia site is located in James City County, Virginia approximately one mile west of the point where U.S. Route 60 passes through the community of Lee Hall. The site is bounded on the west by the James River, on the east by Wood Creek, and on the south by undeveloped land, wetlands, and Skiffes Creek. The Site occupies approximately 700 acres, with manufacturing facilities limited to approximately ten percent of the total site area. The developed portion of the site is approximately 303 acres. Approximately 397 acres of the property is considered undeveloped. The company manufactured acrylic fibers, acrylic spun yarns, and anti-static non-filament yarns for use in apparel and home furnishings.
The BASF site was previously owned by Dow Chemicals. In 1958, Dow initiated production of acrylic fibers at the site. The facility became part of a joint venture by DOW and BASF in 1966 and was known as the Dow-Badische Corporation. BASF acquired the site from DOW in 1978, and continued production of acrylic products (acrylic fibers, acrylic spun yarns, and anti-static non-filament yarns) for use in apparel and home furnishings until 1989. In 1989, the industrial portion of the facility was sold to Mann Industries. Mann Industries maintained production of acrylic fibers until the Company went into receivership in 1993. The facility has been inactive since that time and has been in the process of being dismantled.
Contaminants at this Facility
The main contaminants known to be present include benzene, 1, 1-dichloroethene, 1, 4-dioxane, cis-1, 2-dichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, vinyl chloride, and zinc.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility is currently not being used or is undeveloped.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality with assistance from EPA Region 3.