Reprint from the Progress Times - March 16, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

Meeting To Mark Completion Of Cleanup Of Helena Site

A community meeting to celebrate completion of the Helena Chemical Company site cleanup is being held Tuesday, March 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Marcell Elementary School, 1101 North Holland, Mission.

The community meeting will provide citizens with an opportunity to meet with Environmental Protection Agency staff and discuss activities at the site which has long been a headache for both city officials and residents in the area, who have complained of health problems. Spanish translation will be provided at the meeting.

"We have excavated about 12,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and we've disposed of about 11,000 cubic yards of that," said Valmichael Leos, EPA on-scene coordinator, adding in most areas the top three-and-a-half feet of soil was removed. However, in a few spots that depth went to as much as eight feet, he added.

As for hauling off contaminated dirt, Leos observed, "Nobody wants it." However, he added much of its has been taken to the Robstown and Deer Park areas.

Leos estimated that the 15 contractors and two EPA officials involved will have put the finishing touches on the cleanup within the next six weeks.

Clearing the site of contaminated soil has been going on since October 16, 2006, when the EPA started removing the asphalt cap over the contaminated soil, which was then hauled away.

Leos said the EPA has employed an extensive network of air monitoring and air sampling safeguards on the site to minimize levels of dust accumulation during the cleanup process.

A large warehouse, small tool shed and two above ground storage tanks were all removed from the site, but the deteriorating main building remains. Prior to the start of the cleanup, EPA officials had discussed removal of that building but lacked a clear title to the property.

Extensive tests were conducted on walls, ceilings and floors of the building, Leos said, adding some trace levels of chemicals were found. "However, that currently poses no health threat," he added.