chemical commodities, inc.

S. KEELER ST

The Chemical Commodities Inc. (CCI) site is located in a commercial and residential area of central Olathe. The CCI site occupies approximately 1.5 acres and borders the Burlington Northern railroad right-of-way and single family residences. CCI is a former chemical brokerage facility that handled, stored, repackaged, and distributed a variety of chemicals. Before 1951, the site was occupied by an ice manufacturer. CCI operated the facility from 1951 to 1989. In 1980, CCI acquired a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit allowing the facility to generate and transport hazardous waste. During the facility's operation, poor housekeeping, inappropriate material handling and storage practices, and facility conditions that allowed materials to migrate off site were documented. Concerns for public health and the environment were raised during the facility's operation due to emanating odors, contaminated rain water runoff from the site, and fires. Investigations conducted by CCI, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, p otentially responsible parties, and the EPA have indicated that soil and ground water are contaminated with a wide range of metals, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and pesticides. Some of these substances have migrated off-site via air, surface water runoff, and ground water movement. Approximately 78,000 people live in the city of Olathe; about 7,100 live within 1 mile of the site. Ground water is not used as a source of municipal drinking water; however, private wells are found within 3 miles of the site.