In an old tin barn in a cow pasture in the Red River Basin, thousands of chemicals have been abandoned by the former property owners. The EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality investigation has found nearly 5,000 containers with an estimated 3,000 different chemicals. The containers are primarily laboratory bottles and jars but also include 55-gallon drums, compressed gas cylinders, single use ampules, and other containers. Drums have rusted through, bottles have broken, boxes have fallen apart, and chemicals have spilled and crystallized. Strong oxiders have eaten through the wood of storage boxes.
The old, expired and discarded chemicals came from several laboratories from around the country. It appears that government agencies, universities, military bases, and commercial laboratories contracted with a company with the expection of the removal and disposal of the chemicals. The company just never properly disposed of the chemicals over the years.
The investigation has found corrosive, reactive, flammable, and toxic chemicals included in the stash. Picric acid and other shock sensitive chemicals have been found in the piles, crystals very apparent. Sodium metal which will violently react in air and water was found in large oil filled jars. Pesticides such as Paraquat and DDT are present in significant quantities. Several items are radioactive, some tentatively identified as uranium oxide, others appear to be old sealed sources. There are several compressed gas cylinders or various sizes.
Many of the labels are still present on the containers but several hundred containers have to be characterized by haz-catting or field characterization. The TCEQ travel Infrared spectrum analyzer provided actual identification and verification of many of the unknowns. Even with labels present, the wide variety of chemicals presents a daunting task to properly identify the hazard class and proper disposal options.
Many of the chemicals identified are extremely toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. The Wichita River is a mere 30 feet from the barn. The Wichita River formed the falls that gave name to nearby city of Wichita Falls.
Chemicals have been found in the barn, a shed, and the old farm house on the property. It is evident that there was no attempt to segregate prior to shipment or storage. Extreme care will be taken to handle the chemicals stored in a refrigerator, now nonworking.
