The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has included the Louisiana Superfund site, Exide Baton Rouge, in the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a catalog of locations known to harbor toxic chemicals that pose potential threats to human health or the environment across America and its territories.
In an EPA news release, it was stated that the agency will now determine whether any remedial action is required following the inclusion of the Louisiana Superfund site in the NPL. The list encompasses sites with the nation's most severe uncontrolled or neglected contamination issues. The site in question is a 33-acre property adjacent to Baton Rouge Bayou, which previously served as a secondary lead smelter and refinery.
"EPA's comprehensive approach to protecting human health and the environment from contamination includes updating the National Priorities List as a critical component," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. "Cleaning up contaminated land and groundwater and returning them for productive use to communities, especially those which have borne the brunt of legacy pollution, is a win for public health and local economies."
The state of Louisiana alerted EPA about this site in 2022 after discovering high levels of lead, manganese, antimony, arsenic within the soil and groundwater on the property, according to another news release. The toxins at this location have been exacerbated by open surface impoundments and unlined waste piles. A system designed to collect and treat contaminated leachate is currently in place; it is hoped that being on the NPL list will ensure this wastewater treatment system continues operating for years to come.
Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance stated: "By prioritizing the Exide Baton Rouge site, we are fully addressing the contamination and pollution that has been affecting the East Baton Rouge community." She further added: "Adding this site to the National Priorities List will allow for additional remediation, outreach, and cleanup efforts as well as additional funding from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I would like to thank our state partners for their previous work on the site and to thank the residents for their patience as we work to remove these hazardous chemicals from the area."
