EPA Provides Site Update

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 has reached a settlement with Compton’s LLC and Spectrum Brands Inc., the current and previous owners of the Former Toastmaster Facility in Macon, Mo. This settlement requires investigations and response actions to address contamination associated with the release of trichloroethene (TCE). This settlement is in the form of an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent.

TCE is used in industrial solvents and degreasers, and household products such as correction fluids, paints, paint removers, adhesives, rug and metal cleaners, and spot removers. It is a manufactured substance and does not occur naturally in the environment.

Single (acute) or short-term exposure to TCE can potentially affect a developing fetus. High acute concentrations of TCE vapors can irritate the respiratory system and skin, and induce central nervous system effects such as light-headedness, drowsiness, and headaches. Repeated (chronic) or prolonged exposure to TCE has been associated with effects in the liver, kidneys, immune system, and central nervous system. EPA also has concerns for effects in a developing fetus from chronic exposure. TCE is carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure.

BACKGROUND

The Former Toastmaster Facility is located at 704 South Missouri Street, in Macon, Mo. From the mid-1950s to 2001, the facility manufactured small appliances. Since 2001, the facility has been used as retail and warehouse space. During an environmental investigation conducted in 1991, TCE was discovered to have been released from an above-ground storage tank on the facility. Further investigation found that TCE vapors were present in both the indoor air and sub-slab air of the facility.

In July 2014, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources conducted indoor air and sub-slab soil gas sampling in homes in the immediate vicinity of the facility to determine whether the contaminants from the facility were impacting nearby residences. The results of this sampling documented elevated indoor and/or sub-slab levels of TCE in two of the nearby residences.

In October 2014, EPA conducted a fund-lead removal action and installed sub-slab vapor mitigation devices in the two residences that had elevated levels of TCE.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES

EPA is currently overseeing investigation actions that will include the collection of sub-slab soil gas data at the Former Toastmaster Facility to aid in the design of a sub-slab vapor system. This investigation will also include collection of exterior soil gas data near selected residences on the north side of Kohl Street to determine if these homes may be at risk from vapor intrusion and/or require supplemental sampling activities.

NEXT STEPS

EPA will review the data collected during the most recent sampling activity to determine whether more sampling will be needed both on- and off-site. Additionally, any residences that are discovered to contain vapors above health-based screening levels will be eligible to have a vapor mitigation system installed in the structure, in order to eliminate direct exposure to TCE vapors. EPA is also in the process of negotiating with the current responsible parties to address the main source of the contamination.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EPA has established an Administrative Record file for the Former Toastmaster Superfund Site. The Administrative Record file is available online.   

If you have questions, please contact:

Brendan Corazzin
Enforcement Coordination Office
EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 1-800-223-0425
Email: corazzin.brendan@epa.gov