All News Releases By Date

EPA TO HOLD AVAILABILITY SESSION REGARDING THE BATTERY TECH/DURACELL SITE IN LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Release Date: 07/22/2003
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, EPA Media Relations, 404-562-8421

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public availability session on Thursday, July 24, 2003, regarding the issuance of an Explanation of Significant Difference (ESD) for the Battery Tech/Duracell site in Lexington, North Carolina. The purpose of the availability session is for EPA representatives to explain modification to the remedy for the mercury-contaminated soil and sediment from on-site treatment and disposal to off-site treatment and disposal. The contaminated material will be transported to either the Emelle, Alabama or Kernersville, North Carolina landfill. The public availability session will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Davidson County Public Library, 602 South Main Street in Lexington. EPA officials will be available to provide information and answer questions. All interested persons are encouraged to stop by anytime. Regulations in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) require that EPA publish an ESD when significant changes occur in a remedy after the Record of Decision is signed. The Battery Tech/Duracell site is an active battery manufacturing facility currently owned and operated by the Gillette Company. The facility is located at 305 New Highway 64 East on 26.5-acres. Operations began in the 1950's and have resulted in extensive mercury contamination in the soil and groundwater. Runoff from the site resulted in elevated levels of mercury in the sediment along Fritz Branch, Leonards Creek, and Abbotts Creek south to High Rock Lake.