Southern Machine and Tool Company (SMT) is a former machine and tool company that produced machined parts and special machinery, and performed tooling for manufacturing companies.  SMT grew from a small company that began operation in 1964.  Over 100 employees worked at SMT when the company declared bankruptcy and shut its doors in 2002.  Approximately 616 containers of liquid waste were abandoned on site by the company.

SMT was registered in June of 1991 as a generator of D001 (Ignitable) hazardous waste.  MDNR reports the company never submitted details of any waste disposal activity.  Due to inactivity, the permit was deactivated in January, 2003 by MDNR.  According to Sue Fisher, the company operated at 2721 Highway B from 1983 through 2002 when the company declared bankruptcy.  The company was first created in 1968.  Mr. Ted J. Fisher (deceased) was the president and owner.  Ms. Sue Fisher, wife of Ted J. Fisher, was listed as the company vice-president and secretary. 

On March 26, 2012, the EPA returned to the Site to inspect the manufacturing building and perform field screening on accessible containers.  Field screening and laboratory results confirmed that CERCLA hazardous substances had been abandoned at the Site.  Wastes were identified that meet the hazardous waste characteristic of corrosivity.  Laboratory samples confirmed the presence of concentrated trichloroethylene (TCE) as well as trace amounts of tetrachloroethene (PCE), and cis-1,2-dichloroethene (1,2 DCE).

Follow-up Sampling

As reported in Pollution Report #2, the EPA mobilized to the Site on July 31, 2013, to conduct a sampling event following removal of all bulk waste containers.  The EPA selected sampling locations based on potential worst-case scenarios. 

Results of prior screening and analyses (in April, 2012) had identified drums on the Site that contained trace amounts of the following Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): acetone, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethene (1,2-DCE), 1,1,1-trichlorethane, benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), 4-methyl-2-pentanone, toluene, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), ethylbenzene and total xylenes.

Analyses of subsurface sampling conducted during the July, 2013 event identified elevated levels of the following VOCs: 1,1,1-trichlorethane, PCE, 1,1-dichlorethane, 1,1-dichlorethene and TCE.

The EPA also tested the ground for metals, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon – Diesel Range Organics (TPH-DRO) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon – Oil Range Organics (TPH-ORO).  Results of this sampling event are available in a Removal Site Evaluation and Removal Summary Report dated February 1, 2013.

The EPA conducted a limited removal of contaminated soil from the locations where drums were stored.

Soil Removal

The EPA mobilized crews to the site on January 22, 2013, to remove contaminated soil.  Crews excavated soil in six locations to depths down to 24 inches below ground surface (bgs).  Soil was staged on plastic sheeting until disposal options could be arranged.  Prior to temporarily demobilizing, the EPA covered the soil piles with plastic.

Follow-up sampling identified the following potential issues:

Groundwater

Elevated concentrations of TCE were detected in one groundwater sample taken from 37-40 feet bgs.  TCE was detected at a concentration of 1.8 micrograms/Liter (µg/L) which exceeds the Removal Screening Level (RSL) for tap water of 0.44 µg/L, but does not exceed the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 5.0 µg/L.  The sample was collected directly below one of the former drum storage locations.