EPA Cleans Up Ozark Circuits Superfund Site in Springfield, MO

Ozark Circuits Superfund Site during the removal action (U.S. EPA photo).

By Shannon Bond

(Lenexa, Kan., Jan. 17, 2014) When the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) referred the Ozarks Circuits site to the EPA in July of 2013, it was essential that the time-critical removal action begin as soon as possible. After evaluating the site on July 18, and Aug. 8, 2013, EPA Region 7 initiated a 5 week removal process in Sept. that included not only hazardous waste removal, but debris cleanup as well.
Abandoned facilities like Ozark Circuits are usually found in poor condition, with a lot of debris and sometimes structural damage that makes the cleanup complicated, at least initially. You have to manage the cleanup carefully and systematically due to the risks of chemical exposures or chemical reactions, said EPA On Scene Coordinator (OSC) Mike Davis.

EPAs OSCs have primary responsibility for spills and releases to inland areas and waters. U.S. Coast Guard OSCs have responsibility for coastal waters and the Great Lakes (U.S. EPA photo).

The circuit board manufacturer filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition in March of 2011, before abandoning its 25,000 square foot building. The abandoned site was filled EPA OSCs found over 150 drums, and with hazardous material that if spilled or mixed, could have resulted in violent more than 300 smaller containers full of hazardous chemicals. reactions and the release of toxic gases. This posed a threat to businesses and residential housing in the immediate area. We appreciated the support of Springfield Public Works for helping us understand and properly assess and cleanup the wastewater treatment system at the facility, and the Springfield Fire Department who brought decontamination water and checked on us whenever they had a call in the area, Davis said. EPA OSCs found over 150 drums, and more than 300 smaller containers full of hazardous chemicals. Open process vats containing a variety of electroplating and electroless plating solutions were spread throughout the building. In these containers, the OSCs found strong oxidizers; strong caustics; strong acids including commercial grade sulfuric, nitric, and phosphoric
acids; flammables and ignitable waste; and water-reactive waste. There was also an on-site wastewater treatment system comprised of several 1,000 gallon process tanks and one 3,000 gallon process tank,

as well as large sub-slab concrete pits. Each tank contained liquids and sludge. EPAs removal action ensured that aAll of this hazardous waste was safely contained and shipped off site for proper disposal. In addition to addressing the chemicals, the removal action also involved cleaning up and removing all of the contaminated process equipment and vats, the wastewater treatment tanks and pits, and disassembling the network of pipes ...abandoned sites like these pose a running throughout the building. After the real threat to the community... cleanup was finished, EPA OSCs met with representatives from MDNR for a final walk through, and the site was turned back over to the state for further soil and groundwater sampling. Davis explained that abandoned sites like these pose a real threat to the community, especially with neighborhoods right next door.

hazardous waste. Im glad that MDNR brought this to EPAs attention, and that we were able to work together to get the place cleaned up before someone got hurt in there, Davis said.

Plating shops are very similar, but what stands out about this one was the sheer volume of

Ozark Circuits Superfund Site after the removal action (U.S. EPA photo).