Final Cleanup Begins at Master Metals Site

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 announced that the final phase of a cleanup at the Master Metals Inc. facility in Cleveland will begin the last week of March.

The cleanup should take place between next week and early May.

A group of 48 companies that EPA considers legally responsible at the former lead smelter will perform the estimated $500,000 cleanup under EPA and Ohio EPA oversight.

The cleanup will be performed under an agreement called an administrative order on consent.  Under this agreement the companies will:

-  Clear vegetation and demolish concrete walls. Concrete slab that is in good shape will remain.  The former office building and historic railroad roundhouse will also be left in place.

-  Excavate soil not covered by concrete, including the soil outside the fence that has lead higher than EPA standards for industrial areas. The remaining contaminated soil will be treated and disposed of off-site at an EPA-approved facility.

-  The site's excavated soil will be replaced with clean fill and seeded topsoil.  Four inches of asphalt will cover a part of the southern portion.  A new fence will also be installed.

The work will complete a 1997 limited-scope cleanup in which EPA oversaw the excavation, demolition and safe disposal of contaminated buildings, debris and machinery at the site. Additionally, cleanup will take place at a related residential yard were lead-contaminated material was deposited as fill about 15 years ago..

Following this final cleanup, in summer 2003, the site will be redeveloped as the new home of a lumber company. The company, Northern Ohio Lumber and Timber Co., has received grants and loans from the state of Ohio and the city of Cleveland's Department of Economic Development to assist in the redevelopment of the property.

The smelter was operated by NL Industries from 1933 to 1979, when it was sold to Master Metals. Ohio EPA shut down the facility in 1993 following a number of air quality and other violations.