History:
The 1,050-acre Feed Materials Production Center site is part of
a nuclear weapons complex owned by the Department of Energy (DOE).
National Lead of Ohio, Inc. operated the facility from 1953 through
1985. In 1986, Westinghouse Materials Company of Ohio operated the
facility. In 1991, the site name was changed to Fernald Environmental
Management Project and went from Defense Programs to Environmental
Programs within in the DOE structure. This site is primarily a uranium
metal processing facility that produces uranium fuel elements, target
cores, and other uranium products for use in the US nuclear weapons
program. Large quantities of wastes, including low-level radioactive
wastes, mixed hazardous and radioactive wastes, mixed hazardous
and radioactive wastes, oils, solvents, and flyash were produced.
Contamination occurred in the production area, six waste pits, three
waste storage silos (one containing wastes from the Manhattan project),
a storm sewer ditch leading to Paddy's Run Creek, and an effluent
line discharging into the Great Miami River. Additional waste storage
and disposal areas included other silos, a burn pit, a clear well,
two flyash disposal areas, a sanitary landfill, and two lime sludge
ponds. Uranium contaminates the Buried Valley aquifer, the sole
source of drinking water for the production center workers and most
area residents. The Great Miami River is used for various recreational
purposes. Cincinnati is 19 miles southeast and downstream of this
site. This site was placed on the National Priorities List in 1989.
Current Status:
The 1988 Consent Agreement established schedules for completing
remedial and removal activities at the Fernald Superfund site. This
site has been divided in five operable units with differing schedules
for investigation, cleanup, removal actions, and safe shutdown for
each site. Site investigations were expected to be complete in 1991.
A Federal Facilities Compliance Agreement was signed in 1986 between
the EPA and DOE. Previous to this time, federal agencies were exempt.
The EPA determined that no immediate actions were required at the
Feed Materials Production Center site while studies are taking place
and cleanup activities are being planned.
Exposure Assessment:
Radon gas has been detected in the air. Fish and plants contain
radionuclides and heavy metals. Ground water is contaminated with
uranium, and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Buried
Valley aquifer is contaminated with uranium. Metallic scrap contained
in several scrap piles is contaminated with uranium and other radionuclides.
Creek and ditch sediments are contaminated with radionuclides, organics,
inorganics, and asbestos. High concentrations of uranium, technetium,
and hexavalent chromium have been detected in the effluent line
discharging to the Great Miami River. Three uranium contaminated
private wells have been closed and are no longer used for drinking
water. Although the facility has ceased all production it continues
to generate both radioactive and non-radioactive hazardous wastes.
Potential health threats to people include accidentally ingesting,
touching, or inhaling contaminated soil, ground water, air, and
surface water. Eating contaminated plants and fish is also a potential
threat.
Source Information:
(1) US Department of Energy, Closure Plan for the Feed Materials
Production Center, Feb. 1991, pages 4-16, (2) US EPA National Priorities
List Sites: Ohio, Feed Production Materials Center, pages 19-20,
Sept. 1990, EPA/540/-90/035, (3) US EPA Fact Sheet, Project update:
Amended Consent Agreement Signed for the Fernald Superfund Site
in Fernald, Ohio, Oct. 1991, (4) US EPA Fact Sheet, Project Update:
FMPC Consent Agreement, May 1990, (5) "Fernald Water Plan under
Fire," The Plain Dealer, Nov. 24, 1990.
|
| 
Print
friendly | 
Artwork Statement 
