U.S. EPA assistance was initially requested by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) in Ocober 2011 at the former Stark Ceramics manufacturing facility. The Stark Ceramics Site (site) is located at 600 West Church Road in East Canton, OH. The site is comprised of approximately 159 acres.
The primary threats on site include asbestos containing material (ACM), containerized hazardous materials, and piles of waste sludge with elevated levels of heavy metals. The site is not secure and evidence of trespassing is apparent on site.
U.S. EPA conducted a site assessment in October 2011. Threats were identified, although a voluntary clean up plan was agreed up with the OEPA and the representative for Stark Ceramics. Some actions were taken, but during that time the majority of the buildings were demolished without proper abatement of the ACM. As a result, the representative for Stark Ceramics stated that they could not clean up the property. At that time, OEPA notified EPA for additional assistance.