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Fact Sheet

November 2005

Second Five-Year Review Completed, Midwest Manufacturing/North Farm Superfund Site, Kellogg, Iowa

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts regular five-year reviews on Superfund sites where cleanups have been completed. These reviews are required by the Superfund law [42 U.S.C. ' 9621(c)]. EPA Region 7 and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) have completed their second five-year review of the Midwest Manufacturing/North Farm Superfund site in Kellogg, Jasper County, Iowa.

SITE BACKGROUND

The Midwest Manufacturing/North Farm Superfund Site consists of two noncontiguous pieces of property known as the North Farm Operable Unit and the Midwest Manufacturing Operable Unit. The North Farm Operable Unit is located 2 miles north and 2 mile east of Kellogg, Iowa. Kellogg, population 700, is located in Jasper County, which is approximately 42 miles east of Des Moines. The Midwest Manufacturing Operable Unit is owned and operated by Smith Jones, Inc. and is located at 101 High Street in the city of Kellogg, Iowa. The Midwest Manufacturing Operable Unit occupies eight acres within the North Skunk flood plain.

Smith Jones, Inc. engaged in painting and electroplating manufactured products at the Midwest Manufacturing Operable Unit from 1973 to 1981. The electroplating process used trichloroethylene (TCE) to clean the products before the metal coating was applied. Cadmium was used as the metal coating prior to 1979, nickel was used until 1980, and zinc was used from 1980 to 1981.

Prior to 1977, electroplating wastes were disposed directly into the North Skunk River. In 1977, a waste water treatment system was constructed and waste sludges were stored at the plant site. In 1977 and 1978, some waste sludge was disposed at the North Farm Operable Unit. Electroplating operations ceased in June 1981.

In 1982, soil sampling was conducted at the North Farm for EPA and IDNR. Additional investigations were conducted in 1983. In 1985, the site was placed on the National Priorities List. In 1988, EPA completed its investigations and released its Proposed Plan to identify alternatives for site restoration. EPA released its Record of Decision (ROD) for the North Farm Operable Unit in September 1988 and for the Midwest Manufacturing Operable Unit in September 1990. EPA released Amended RODs for both Operable Units in September 1993.

The responsible parties agreed to perform the work identified in the Amended ROD under a Consent Decree which was effective on December 13, 1994. Onsite construction was completed on November 30, 1995 and the first 5-year review was completed on November 11, 2000. The second 5-year review site visit was conducted on May 18, 2005. EPA and IDNR inspected both the North Farm Operable Unit and the Midwest Manufacturing Operable Unit. EPA and IDNR evaluated the effectiveness of all site-wide institutional controls.

FIVE-YEAR REVIEWS

In 2000, the results of the first five-year review concluded that the North Farm Operable Unit did not pose a threat to human health and the environment as long as the deed restrictions (restricting use of ground water and vegetable gardening) remain in place.

For the Midwest Manufacturing Operable Unit, the first five-year review determined that semi-annual ground water monitoring would continue until all the volatile organic compounds present in the ground water decrease to below the allowable maximum contaminant levels. The parties potentially responsible for the site contamination installed a ground water monitoring system in 1995 and fencing to enclose the Midwest Manufacturing Operable Unit.

SECOND FIVE-YEAR REVIEW

This second five-year review found the remedies for both the North Farm Operable Unit and the Manufacturing Plant Operable Unit are currently functioning as designed. The immediate threats have been addressed and the remedies are protective. The contaminants of concern will continue to be monitored at the Manufacturing Plant.

EPA will review the existing land use restrictions and evaluate other possible mechanisms, such as the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act (UECA) in place of the existing deed restrictions for both operable units. Changes in the deed restrictions may be recommended if other mechanisms, such as the UECA, are found to be more protective. Currently, Smith-Jones collects ground water samples two times a year and analyzes them for the selected volatile organics of concern.

One well remains above the acceptable level for vinyl chloride. The contaminated ground water is not being used for domestic purposes at either the Manufacturing Plant or the North Farm operable units.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The site Administrative Record is available at the following locations during normal business hours:

Newton Public Library
100 North 3rd Ave West
Newton, Iowa

EPA Records Center
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas

If you have questions or need more information on this site or the five-year review process, please contact:

Fritz Hirter
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7003
Toll Free: (800) 223-0425
E-mail: hirter.fritz@epa.gov

 

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