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SMT Drum Site

 
Site Contact:
Heath Smith
OSC

(smith.heath@epa.gov)

Site Location:
2721 Highway B
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
 response.epa.gov/smtdrum

The Southern Machine and Tool Company (SMT) operated a facility located at 2721 Highway B, Poplar Bluff, Missouri until 2002. As its name implies, the company was involved in metal working. In 2012, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) requested the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s assistance with the site. Approximately 350 fifty-five gallon drums and various other containers were found to exist at the site full of waste. Sampling and analysis revealed that drums at the site contain hazardous substances; most notably, chlorinated solvents and corrosive agents.


Crushed Drums Backfill Backfill Backfill Trucks staged with backfill Backfill across the rickety bridge Post Excavation Photo Post Excavation Photo Post Excavation Photo Post Excavation Photo Post Excavation Photo Post-Excavation photo Site after drum removal Site after drum removal Vac Truck staged beyond rickety bridge Vac Truck Accessing Site through adjacent Airport due to rickety bridge Rusted out Drum containing TCE. TCE visible just below surface of standing water. TCE collected in dropper falls through water as DNAPL. Rusted out Drum Containing TCE. TCE visible just below surface of standing water. Rusted out Drum containing TCE Samples of Chemicals taken from Drums during Site Assessment Samples of Chemicals taken from Drums Abandoned Drums Overview of Site Abandoned Drum in flooded field Site after wet weather event Drums near wetweather ditch Collapsed Shed Abandoned Drums Abandoned Drum Abandoned Drum Direct push sampling Direct push sampling Direct push sampling operation Portable Storage Tank 40 cubic yard waste roll-off box being delivered Using Airport to access site Crews using Poplar Bluff mini airport to access SMT site (in background) Metal finishing area Drums Metal Shop Containers 600 to 602 Site Photo Site Photo Drum 243 Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid OSC Mahler Various samples collected from drums for field characterization Address Marker 2721 Highway B Abandoned Leaking Drums Abandoned Drums Abandoned Drums Drum Labeled Trichloroethylene Leaking Drums Leaking Drums Abandoned Drums Container Abandoned Drums Drum Labeled Solvent Leaking Drum Abandoned Drums Drum Labeled Mineral Spirits Abandoned Drums
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.