Des Moines TCE Superfund Site, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa - Fact Sheet, September 2017

Public Comment Period for Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has completed an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) report for the Des Moines Trichloroethylene (TCE) Superfund Site. Due to changing land use, the EE/CA evaluates alternatives for addressing human health risk associated with buildings and foundations that remain on-site. Specifically, the EE/CA evaluates alternatives for conducting a non-time critical removal action related to demolition of buildings and foundations at the Des Moines TCE Site in Des Moines, Iowa.

PROPOSED REMEDY

Alternative 1

Alternative 1 is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)-required no-action alternative in which no removal action is undertaken.

Alternative 2

Alternative 2 includes demolition of all buildings and foundations that currently remain on-site, and disposal of demolition debris at an off-site landfill.

Alternative 3

Alternative 3 includes demolishing all buildings and foundations that currently remain on-site, crushing the debris, spreading the debris across the site, and covering the fill with a cap.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Oral and written comments will be accepted during the 30-day public comment period for this site, which begins Sept. 8, 2017, and ends Oct. 8, 2017.

The public may submit their comments to EPA prior to the close of the comment period by submitting them to Pamela Houston, Community Engagement Specialist, via telephone, mail or email at the address listed below.

BACKGROUND

The site is in south-central Des Moines, on the east side of the Raccoon River. The site includes a 43-acre property, owned by Dico, Inc. For approximately 40 years, historical operations at the site included a variety of industrial uses and operations – steel wheel manufacturing, chemical and herbicide distribution, and pesticide formulation processes. Releases during Dico’s operations at the site included the following: TCE, 1,2-dichloroethene (DCE), and vinyl chloride in groundwater; residual pesticides in shallow soils; and pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) within buildings among other areas of contamination. 

This EE/CA addresses the demolition and proper disposal of the buildings and foundations that remain on-site. Buildings remaining on the Dico site include Buildings 1, 2, and 3; and foundations remaining for the Maintenance Building and Buildings 4 and 5, as well as an office building and a production building. Due to changing land use, the EE/CA evaluates alternatives for addressing human health risk associated with buildings and foundations that remain on-site.

CONTAMINATION

The building and building foundations to be addressed under this EE/CA are contaminated with pesticides, PCBs, and dioxins. 

Pesticides are used to control insects and weeds. These are commonly found in homes, and if used properly in low concentrations, are considered safe. Since pesticide products were formulated and stored at the Dico site, certain environmental regulations consider these chemicals to be listed or characterized as hazardous. The pesticides of primary concern on site are aldrin and dieldrin.  For additional information, see this online fact sheet. 

PCBs are a mixture of chemical compounds commonly used as coolants and lubricants in electrical equipment, because they don’t burn easily and are good insulators. PCBs may be harmful to humans and the environment if detected at high enough levels. For additional information, see this online fact sheet.

Dioxins are chemicals that sometimes form during production of pesticides or burning of certain materials. Dioxins accumulate in fatty tissue and can be harmful to insects, fish, birds, and mammals, including humans. For additional information, see this online fact sheet. 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

As part of the Superfund process, EPA has prepared a Community Involvement Plan. The CIP outlines EPA’s outreach efforts to the community during the site cleanup. EPA values the input of the community throughout the Superfund process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EPA has assessed the ability of the public to access information about the site, including the EE/CA and its Administrative Record file, through an internet-based repository, and has determined that the local community has this ability. For additional site information, please visit EPA's website.

EPA CONTACT INFORMATION

Public comments, in addition to questions and requests for information about this site, can be directed to: