| Abstract |
The MIDCO II site is a seven-acre storage and disposal facility in Gary, Indiana. The surrounding area is predominantly used for industrial purposes, and includes 34 other potential hazardous waste sites. The underlying aquifer is highly susceptible to contamination from surface sources because of the high water table; however, in the vicinity of the site, the aquifer is used primarily for non-drinking water purposes. The same operator as at another Superfund site, MIDCO I, began waste operations, including drum storage at MIDCO II during the summer of 1976. Following a major fire at the MIDCO I site in January 1977, MIDCO transferred the operations from the MIDCO I site to the MIDCO II site. Operations included temporarily storing bulk liquid and drum wastes; neutralizing acids and caustics; and disposing of wastes by dumping wastes into onsite pits, which allowed wastes to percolate into the ground water. The resulting PCB-contaminated soil pile was removed and disposed of in an offsite hazardous waste landfill in early 1986, and most of the cyanide-contaminated pile was also removed. Removal activities ended in January 1986. The primary contaminants of concern currently affecting the soil, sediment, and ground water are VOCs including benzene, toluene, TCE, and xylenes; other organics including PCBs; and metals including arsenic, chromium, and lead. The selected remedial action for the site is included. |
