The W.R. Grace Site is located in Wilder, Campbell County, Kentucky. W.R. Grace ("Grace") owned and operated a vermiculite ore processing facility at 112 North St. from 1960 until the mid-1990's. Residues from the processing operation were disposed of on the Grace property and an adjoining tract as fill material. The vermiculite ore and the residues contain actinolite and tremolite asbestos fibers. EPA Region 8's experience with the Grace facilities in Libby, Montana demonstrates that exposure to this material represents a significant threat to human health.
In January 2000, Grace notified Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection (KYDEP) of the environmental conditions at the site. Grace submitted plans to KYDEP to construct a cap on areas where the presence of asbestos-containing material in soil (ACM) had been documented through a previous site investigation. KYDEP approved Grace's conceptual plans to cap these areas. However, Grace informed KYDEP in September 2001 that the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing prohibited Grace from performing any further remedial activities at the site. In January 2002, KYDEP referred the site to ERRB for consideration as a time-critical removal action.
Excavation of ACM continued, as well the use of dust suppression procedures and perimeter and personal air monitoring. Transportation and Disposal activities began on Oct 27, 2003. To date, approximately 8,987 tons of waste material have been disposed of.
Excavation, transportation, and disposal of ACM, as well as the use of water for dust suppression is expected to continue. Cleanup of the interior of the 2 metal buildings on-site is not expected to begin until sometime after the Christmas holidays. The crew will demobe for the Thanksgiving holidays on Nov 25 and resume site activities again on Dec 1, 2003.
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