LCP Chemicals Superfund Site

The Site consists of approximately 550 acres, the majority of which is a tidal marsh. It is currently occupied with process buildings, an administration office and a caustic brine treatment system. Many industries formerly occupied this area for approximately 70 years. During various manufacturing activities, the Site became contaminated with mercury, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). At present, Some or all of these contaminants are impacting the Site’s soil, ground water, tidal marsh sediment and marsh biota. In addition, a 10.5 acre caustic brine pool (CBP) exists onsite with elevated pH, high density and specific gravity, and elevated heavy metals such as mercury, chromium, berrylium, arsenic and vanadium.

The Site has been divided into 3 Operable Units (OUs); OU1 is the marsh area, OU2 the Groundwater, and OU3 the contaminated upland soil. A Human Health Risk Assessment and Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment were formulated for OU1 by the EPA. A Record of Decision for the marsh area is expected to be finalized in 2012. Removal action of the caustic brine pool in OU2 is currently underway. Since the initial effort at a CBP treatment system was operating as planned, the EPA requested a Work Plan for a conventional metals removal treatment system. The EPA approved the Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment for OU3 in August 2010 and a Record of Decision is anticipated for 2011.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry recently completed a Public Health Assessment for the LCP Chemicals Site. They concluded that if the Site were to become residential, about 30 acres of dry-land will pose a health risk for children and adults due to contamination. If the site becomes commercial or industrial, approximately 5 acres of dry-land will contain contamination that poses a health risk for future workers. To view the full report click here

The Estuary Feasibility Study Tech Memo and the Final Uplands Feasibility Study Technical Memo were released in March 2013 and April 2013, respectively. In June 2014, the Estuary Feasibility Study was released, and the Estuary Proposed Plan was released in November 2014. The LCP Chemicals Site Responsiveness Summary/Record of Decision was released for OU1 towards the end of 2015. EPA anticipates that the Record of Decision for OU3 will be finalized soon.

Resources

Jan 2014 article on Dolphin/PCB study in Brunswick saltwater marsh area and surroundings

For further information on the LCP Chemicals Superfund Site visit the EPA project website