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EPA Formally Proposes Adding Nuclear Metals, Inc. to Superfund List

Release Date: 07/27/2000
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed the Nuclear Metals Inc. facility in Concord, Mass., to EPA's National Priorities List (NPL or "Superfund List"). The site, located on Main Street, is now known as Starmet Corporation.

The NPL is EPA's list of the country's most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term cleanup. The Superfund program makes public funds available to clean up listed toxic waste sites when private financing is unavailable.

"While the listing process is underway, EPA will take steps to address contamination at the site," said Mindy S. Lubber, Regional Administrator for EPA New England. "This proposal for a listing means we can start to assess the contamination and clean up the site."

In 1958, Nuclear Metals Inc. began operating a manufacturing facility on the previously undeveloped land, producing depleted uranium products primarily as penetrators for armor piercing ammunition for the Army. The company also made metal powders for medical applications and photocopiers as well as other specialty metal products. From 1958 until 1985, when the company changed its manufacturing process, NMI discharged wastes containing a variety of toxic metals into an unlined holding basin onsite.

Proposing the 46-acre site to the NPL opens a 60-day comment period, during which time the public can comment on the listing. Comments must be submitted in writing by Sept. 25 to:

Docket Coordinator, Headquarters
US EPA
CERCLA Docket Office
Mailcode 5201 G
Ariel Rios Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20460

Copies of the listing documents are available for public review at the following locations:

EPA Records Center
One Congress St., Suite 1100
Boston MA 02114
Hours: M - F 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Concord Free Public Library
129 Main St.
Concord, Mass. 01742
(978) 318-3300

Steve Roberson
Mass. Department of Environmental Protection
205 A Lowell St.
Wilmington, MA 01887
Phone: (978) 661-7701