saltville waste disposal ponds

ALLISON GAP RD.

The Saltville Waste Disposal Ponds site, located on the border of Smyth and Washington Counties, Virginia is a 125-acre site which was part of Olin Corporation's Saltville facility. The site consists of the Former Chlorine Plant Site, two large waste impoundments referred to as Pond 5 and Pond 6, and areas to which contamination has migrated, including the North Fork Holston River (NFHR). The Saltville facility was in operation from 1895 to 1972. Several different waste streams were generated over that period of time. The primary contaminant of concern, mercury, was in a waste product generated by the chlorine gas plant which operated from the early 1950s to 1972. "Pond 5" is a 75-acre disposal area containing mercury-tainted wastes buried 80-feet thick. In addition, the waste material is pH 12 so that direct contact with the skin will cause chemical burns. "Pond 6" is a 45-acre disposal area containing high pH wastes buried 30-feet thick. Elevated mercury levels are also present in soil and groundwater in the area beneath the former chlorine plant. Mercury from the site has accumulated in fish in the NFHR and presents a risk to those who may eat the fish. Site Responsibility Cleanup for this site is the responsibility of the federal and state governments, and the potentially responsible parties.

Hazardous Ranking Score

30 / 100

A score of 28.5 or higher qualifies a site for the Superfund National Priority List.

Regional Contact

Region 3
Within the region: (800) 438-2474
Outside the region: (215) 814-5000

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Timeline

Discovery
Site Inspection
Preliminary Assessment
Final Listing On NPL
Removal

Contaminants & Health Effects

      Carcinogen
      Endocrine Disrupter
      Neurotoxic
      Sensitiser
      Reproductive Toxin
      Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic
      VOC
      Mutagen

        Census

        White
        African American
        Asian
        American Indian and Alaska Native
        Native Hawaiian
        Other

        573

        People living
        within a 1 mile radius

        $43,987

        Average Income

        238

        Occupied homes

        Potentially Responsible Parties

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