ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 18, 1996 TAG: 9603180077
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WAYNESBORO
SOURCE: Associated Press
More than a decade after an explosion at Greenwood Chemical Co. killed four workers and marked the end for a business that polluted the community, the cleanup of the area continues.
The nearly $10 million decontamination of the April 1985 explosion site near Waynesboro is a federal Superfund project, paid for by federal funds earmarked for environmental disaster management.
``The Greenwood Chemical site was placed on the Superfund priority list in either 1986 or 1987, and we have been working there off and on ever since,'' Philip H. Rotstein, remedial project manager for the Environmental Protection Agency, said Saturday at a meeting with community residents.
The plant operated for more than 40 years with unsafe practices, the EPA said. Greenwood Chemical was involved with providing specialty chemicals to many industries, including the pharmaceutical and photography industries.
``Greenwood Chemical had an extensive history of explosions, chemical spills, fires, fish and livestock kills in and around Stockton Creek and other environmental infractions,'' Rotstein said. ``For years, wastewater runoff from the plant was run through drainage ditches into five open lagoons where the contaminants built up.''
According to information provided by Rex Goodnight, Army Corps of Engineers project coordinator for the Greenwood site, some of the chemicals found on the site included naphthalene, acetic acid, toluene, xylene, naphthalene and benzene derivatives, sodium cyanide and sulfuric acid.
Cleanup efforts are now focusing on removing 14,700 tons of soil from the area around the former chemical plant and shipping the soil out of state for thermal destruction, Goodnight said.
``One goal we have is to have the site completely cleaned up before the kids get out of school for the summer,'' EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Larry Brown said.
Neighbors of the defunct plant said they are concerned about what long-term impact the contaminants could have on their health.
In the past, several residents have reported that the fires and explosions at Greenwood Chemical have left them covered with a dusting of crystals followed by sore throats, headaches and sores or rashes.
``I have noticed changes in my family's skin condition,'' Virginia Sims said. ``I have changed soaps and clothes detergents, but nothing seems to help. I'm convinced it's our water.'' Sims, a mother of three, said her family has developed watery bumps and unusual swellings as well as dry skin.
The next phase in the cleanup will focus on treating the water in the remaining lagoons for release into nearby Stockton Creek, Rotstein said. This phase will require the construction of a water-treatment facility that is currently in development.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB