Perchlorate Clean Up Site

 

Soil and groundwater has been contaminated with perchlorate and TCE at Rialto and Colton in San Bernardino County. Some perchlorate apparently occurs naturally, but most often it is present because it is a byproduct of rocket fuel and munitions manufacture and is often found around current and past military bases and manufacturing facilities.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today reached agreement with Emhart Industries to conduct soil testing and other investigation work at a portion of the proposed B.F. Goodrich Superfund Site in San Bernardino County, Calif.

This agreement follows negotiations that began after the EPA notified Emhart Industries in March 2008 that it may be responsible for the contamination. Other companies that EPA believes may be responsible are Goodrich Corporation and Pyro Spectaculars.

Since the 1950’s, the B.F. Goodrich site has been used by businesses to store, test and manufacture munitions, rocket motors, and pyrotechnics. The area’s soil and groundwater are contaminated with perchlorate and trichloroethylene (TCE), forcing the closure of public drinking water supply wells in the nearby communities of Rialto and Colton.

Perchlorate is a component of solid rocket fuel, flares, and some fireworks, and can affect the thyroid gland. Trichloroethylene, or TCE, is a metal cleaning solvent. Drinking or breathing high levels of trichloroethylene may cause damage to the nervous system, liver and lungs.

Since the 1950’s, the B.F. Goodrich site has been used by businesses to store, test and manufacture munitions, rocket motors, and pyrotechnics. The area’s soil and groundwater are contaminated with perchlorate and trichloroethylene (TCE), forcing the closure of public drinking water supply wells in the nearby communities of Rialto and Colton.

The EPA has been assisting the California Regional Water Quality Control Board in the investigation and cleanup of contamination at the site since 2002. In September 2008, EPA proposed adding the B.F. Goodrich Site to the Superfund National Priorities List.