Olathe, Kansas – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that twelve companies will be held accountable for long‑standing chemical contamination beneath the former Chemical Commodities, Inc. site in the city’s Pollinator Prairie area. The agency said the firms must create a new cleanup plan, submit a revised record of decision, and engage the public in the process.
EPA’s Concerns Over TCE
EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy identified trichloroethylene (TCE) as the primary contaminant of concern. TCE, a solvent historically used to degrease metal, remains in the groundwater beneath the neighborhood. “It doesn’t stay in the groundwater very long,” Macy explained, “it will find a path to air and exposure.” He warned that the chemical could migrate into homes farther west, posing health risks if not addressed.
History of the Site
For decades, companies shipped rejected chemicals to the Olathe facility for recycling or resale. Improper handling by Chemical Commodities, Inc. led to spills, leaks, and soil contamination. The EPA assumed control of the state’s investigation in the 1990s, removing barrels and dismantling the warehouse. A groundwater cleanup began in 2011 with a 100‑year goal to lower contaminant levels, a target that remains unmet.
Why the New Plan Is Needed
Recent reviews found the existing remediation effort insufficient to protect human health and the environment. “We don’t think it’s effective,” Macy said, noting that data show the contaminated area expanding while contaminant concentrations are not decreasing. The agency is now seeking to test additional homes and may install vapor‑air mitigation systems where needed.
Companies Held Responsible
The EPA listed the following entities as responsible parties: Ashland Inc., Boeing Co., CertainTeed Corp., Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (successor to Cordant Technologies, Inc. and Hercules, Inc.), Hallmark Cards Inc., Lucent Technologies Inc. (successor to Western Electric Co. and AT&T Technologies, Inc.), Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, LLC, Mallinckrodt Inc., BNSF Railway, Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the U.S. Air Force.
No Taxpayer Burden
According to Macy, the cleanup will be funded entirely by the responsible parties. “There’s no taxpayer dollars, no resident dollars being asked to contribute to the remediation of this site,” he said. “It’s all the responsible parties that caused this problem.”
How Residents Can Get Information
Neighbors who want to know whether their address falls within the contaminated groundwater plume can contact EPA Remedial Project Manager Stephanie Pfannenstiel ([email protected]) or Community Involvement Coordinator Shaylee Borcsani ([email protected]). The agency plans to increase testing and public outreach as the new plan moves forward.
Local Impact
The EPA’s action underscores the importance of holding polluters accountable and protecting Kansas families from environmental hazards. By requiring the companies to finance and oversee the cleanup, the agency aims to safeguard homes, schools, and businesses in the Olathe community without imposing additional costs on residents.
Original reporting: KSHB 41 Kansas City (local) — read the source article.
