An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Safety-Kleen Systems, Incorporated in Baltimore, Maryland

On this page:


The facility began activities regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1985, according to the February 28, 1985 Notification of Hazardous Waste Activity. According to the files at USEPA Region III and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) offices, Safety-Kleen has been the only owner of the facility.

Cleanup Status

The Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. facility received a Final Decision for No Further Action (NFA) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 2, 2012. The decision to issue an NFA at the Facility was due to an Environmental Indicator Inspection Report, dated August 2010, which revealed that there are no known or suspected human health exposures or groundwater issues, therefore, there is no threat to human health or the environment. A public notice was posted in The Daily Record newspaper on February 22, 2012 and was followed by a thirty (30)-day comment period that ended on March 22, 2012. The Final Decision and Response to Comments became effective April 2, 2012.

On August 18, 2010, EPA classified the site as meeting Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Under Control Indicator EI 750. On December 15, 2011, EPA classified the site as meeting Human Health Environmental Indicator EI 725 (site currently protective of human health). Based on available data, there are no imminent threats to human health and the environment.

Top of Page


Site Description

Interactive Map of Safety-Kleen Systems, Incorporated, Baltimore, Maryland


View larger map

The Safety-Kleen facility is located at 1448 Desoto Road in an industrial park in southwestern Baltimore, Maryland. Safety-Kleen leases its space from Merritt Properties, who owns the industrial park. The facility is surrounded by moderate industrial facilities, except for residential properties to the south. Interstate 95 runs approximately 400 feet to the northwest of the facility.

The facility began activities regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1985, according to the February 28, 1985 Notification of Hazardous Waste Activity. According to the files at USEPA Region III and MDE offices, Safety-Kleen has been the only owner of the facility.

Activities at this facility include the leasing and servicing of Safety-Kleen parts cleaning equipment, mineral spirits, and immersion cleaners. In addition, Safety-Kleen sells perchloroethylene to dry cleaning establishments. This facility operates as a storage and transfer facility that accepts and stores wastes generated by their clients, primarily engaged in the automotive, mechanical repair, and dry cleaning industries. The wastes are either maintained in storage units at the facility or transferred from truck to truck. Additionally, the facility generates hazardous wastes during drum cleaning. All hazardous wastes stored at the facility are eventually removed and taken to other Safety-Kleen treatment and recycling facilities. The facility uses three Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs); one is permitted to store parts washer solvents (hazardous waste), one stores parts washer solvent (product), and the third stores waste oil.

Top of Page


Contaminants at this Facility

The main contaminants in the groundwater and soil are total petroleum hydrocarbons, BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) and a number of volatile organic compounds.

    Top of Page


    Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

    Institutional Controls were not required at this site.

    Top of Page


    Land Reuse Information at this Facility

    The site's use is is yet to be determined.

    Top of Page


    Site Responsibility at this Facility

    RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the EPA Region 3 with assistance from  Maryland DEP.

    Top of Page