Norris Lab is located in a residential area at the center of town in Norris, Montana (Madison County). It is along the banks of Hot Springs Creek just upstream of its confluence with the Madison River. The facility performed assay tests and other chemical analyses for the mining industry until recently when it was closed after an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
There were hundreds of improperly stored and abandoned containers of hazardous substances at the facility. Many of these containers contained highly volatile compounds and several were exposed to the elements. The soil around the facility is contaminated with byproducts from the laboratory and a storm drain from the facility leads directly to the creek.
As of July 17, 2018 USEPA, MTDEQ, Montana Department of Emergency Services, Montana Department of Transportation, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Montana State Patrol, Madison County Office of Emergency Management, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Health Department, Missoula County Explosives Ordinance Disposal (OED) Team, and the Summit Valley Volunteer Fire Department collaborated to render safe the highly volatile and explosive chemicals found in the lab and around the property.
