Exide Baton Rouge, Louisiana Finally Added To Hazardous Contaminated Site List By EPA: Classified National Priority

In 2022, the EPA was notified by the state of Louisiana regarding a site where alarming levels of lead, manganese, antimony, and arsenic were found in both the soil and groundwater. This concerning information was shared through a news release. The presence of these toxins has been worsened by the existence of open surface impoundments and unlined waste piles.

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The Louisiana Superfund site, Exide Baton Rouge, has recently been added to the National Priorities List (NPL) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This list serves as a comprehensive record of locations across America and its territories that are known to contain hazardous chemicals, posing potential risks to both human health and the environment.

According to an EPA news release, the agency will now assess whether any remedial measures are necessary for the Louisiana Superfund site, given its inclusion in the NPL. The list specifically focuses on sites with the most severe cases of uncontrolled or neglected contamination. In this particular case, the site in question spans 33 acres and is located adjacent to Baton Rouge Bayou. It was previously utilized as a secondary lead smelter and refinery.

"EPA's comprehensive approach to protecting human health and the environment from contamination includes updating the National Priorities List as a critical component," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Cleaning up contaminated land and groundwater and returning them for productive use to communities, especially those which have borne the brunt of legacy pollution, is a win for public health and local economies."

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In 2022, the EPA was notified by the state of Louisiana regarding a site where alarming levels of lead, manganese, antimony, and arsenic were found in both the soil and groundwater. This concerning information was shared through a news release. The presence of these toxins has been worsened by the existence of open surface impoundments and unlined waste piles.

Fortunately, there is a system in place to gather and treat the contaminated leachate. By being included in the NPL list, it is expected that this wastewater treatment system will persistently function for many years, ensuring the safety of the environment.

“Updating the National Priorities List is a critical component of EPA's comprehensive approach to protecting human health and the environment from contamination, including in communities overburdened by disproportionate environmental impacts,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Cleaning up contaminated land and groundwater and returning them for productive use to communities, especially those which have borne the brunt of legacy pollution, is a win for public health and local economies.”

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“By prioritizing the Exide Baton Rouge site, we are fully addressing the contamination and pollution that has been affecting the East Baton Rouge community,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Adding this site to the National Priorities List will allow for additional remediation, outreach, and cleanup efforts as well as additional funding from President’s Biden Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I would like to thank our state partners for their previous work on the site and to thank the residents for their patience as we work to remove these hazardous chemicals from the area.”

NOLA reports that the decision has been made almost a year after the EPA was compelled to take control of a wastewater treatment facility at the 33-acre plant site on Brooklawn Drive. This facility is responsible for eliminating harmful substances such as arsenic, antimony, lead, and other contaminants from up to 10,000 gallons of water collected from the plant's landfills on a daily basis.

"This is our very own Flint, Michigan," said Los Angeles City Councilman Kevin de Leon, referring to the water contamination scandal in that city. "You don't have to go to the Midwest to find lead poisoning and contamination. It's in our own very backyard."

The presence of excessive amounts of these chemicals significantly raises the chances of developing cancer, respiratory ailments, and difficulties in learning. Over 100,000 individuals residing, working, and enjoying their lives in close proximity to the former Exide plant might be exposed to these risks. In order to safeguard the well-being of the public, a team of specially-trained workers is diligently working to clean up the affected homes and yards in these regions.

The operation of the treatment facility has consumed over $4.5 million from a trust fund established as part of a federal-state settlement with Exide during their Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. This fund was intended to be utilized for various cleanup endeavors at the site.

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In addition to this, the EPA's announcement proposes the inclusion of three locations on the Superfund list after a 60-day public comment period. These sites include Ann Arbor, Mich., Bella Vista, Calif., and a 150-mile stretch of the Upper Columbia River in Washington state.

After the facility closed in 2009, inspections revealed heightened levels of arsenic, antimony, and lead. Following Exide's bankruptcy, the plant site was handed over to Exide Environmental Response Trust, which oversees 16 facilities across 10 states. The trust received $7.4 million to carry out cleanups at all the sites, with $1.2 million specifically allocated for the Baton Rouge plant.

ProPublica.....“It’s a decision based on ‘We don’t want it in the white area but we don’t mind it being in the black area,’" said Clyde Cooper, the 5th District council member. Jason Amato, the 2nd District council member said that he voted for projects in District 5 but against Wolverine and Petroplex due to safety. “I don’t rubber stamp industry.” Amato said. “I’m pro safe-industry.”

In 2019, Exide made a commitment to provide an additional $2.65 million for the site. However, in October 2022, the then-DEQ Secretary Chuck Carr Brown cautioned the EPA that the trust was on the verge of depleting its cleanup funds. As a result, the EPA intervened and took charge of operating the treatment plant, while also proposing to include the site on the Superfund list.

“Residents of heavily industrialized communities like Baton Rouge should not have to live with higher levels of water, air and soil contamination,” Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance said in a statement. “With historic levels of funding through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, sites like Capitol Lakes and Exide Baton Rouge are getting the focus they deserve to prevent harms to people’s health and the environment.”

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