The Midwest Metallurgical Laboratory (MML) was founded in 1942. The casting/foundry building was constructed in 1960. The Site is a former ductile iron casting facility that provided complete foundry services, including Ni-Hard and Grey Iron castings from 1 to 900 pounds. In March 2002, the announcement was made that the MML facility was to be phased down and closed later that year as part of a plan to outsource production to lower cost producers. At the time of its closing, the MML facility employed approximately 65 workers. Since the closing of the MML facility, Charleston Auctions has held several public auctions in an attempt to sell Site equipment and property.
U.S. EPA conducted an assessment at the Site on October 5 and 6, 2009. Most buildings at the Site were found to contain uncontrolled hazardous wastes (containers labeled flammable, corrosive, and oxidizer). Numerous drums, totes, and small containers of various sizes were found opened and unlabeled both inside the buildings and around the grounds. U.S. EPA quantified more than 2,500 gallons of uncontrolled and unidentified liquid wastes on the property. Five waste liquid samples were collected yielding pH results that are characteristically hazardous or TCLP levels that are characteristically toxic.
U.S. EPA documented unrestricted Site access in many areas and visual evidence of trespassing throughout the buildings and grounds. Numerous locks have been cut and fencing has been taken down by trespassers, vandals, and thieves in efforts to gain access to the buildings and property.
