EPA v. Syntex Superfund Site

Case summary

This is an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (ASAOC) pertaining to Operable Unit 3 (OU3) of the Syntex Facility Superfund Site (Site) located in Verona, Lawrence County, Missouri. Historically, dioxin was the primary contaminant at the Site. Remedial actions have previously been completed pursuant to other Orders. Since the 1970s, the facility has manufactured choline chloride in various forms. The unwanted by-product 1,4-dioxane and chlorobenzene are associated with the production choline chloride. Investigations associated with historic OU2 of the Site confirmed concentrations of 1,4-dioxane and chlorobenzene in the groundwater above their maximum contaminant levels (as available), regional screening levels and removal management levels. Chlorobenzene was also above its MCL. The new OU3 was defined as the contaminated soils and groundwater at the Site. Respondent BCP Ingredients, Inc. is the current owner/operator of the facility. Respondent Syntex Agribusiness, Inc. is a former owner/operator of the facility. Pursuant to this ASAOC, Respondents have agreed to perform a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) for OU3 of the Site. Following completion of the RI/FS, we intend to negotiate a Consent Decree with the respondents for implementation of an appropriate response action. Respondents have agreed to reimburse EPA for its future response costs associated with OU3 of the Site, which will be deposited into a site-specific account. Reimbursement of EPA?s past costs associated with the Site has been deferred to the Consent Decree for implementation of the response action.

Defendants (2)

• Syntex Agribusiness, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• BCP Ingredients, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• BCP INGREDIENTS INC

  299 EXTENSION ST V23, VERONA, MO, 65769-7352

  Registry ID: 110000444788

• DUCOA

  299 EXTENSION STREET, VERONA, MO, 657690085

  Registry ID: 110000444788

• BCP INGREDIENTS INC

  299 EXTENSION ST V23, VERONA, MO, 65769-7352

  Registry ID: 110000444788

• SYNTEX FACILITY

  1ST STREET, VERONA, MO, 65769

  Registry ID: 110015777195

• DUCOA

  299 EXTENSION STREET, VERONA, MO, 657690085

  Registry ID: 110000444788

• SYNTEX AGRIBUSINESS INC

  299 EXTENSION ST, VERONA, MO, 65769

  Registry ID: 110070746229

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 104E5 — Violation of 104(e) Compliance Order

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Syntex Superfund Siteentered 2023-06-09

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2023-06-09Final Order Issued
• 2023-06-09Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2023-09-22Enforcement Action Data Entered