The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized the removal of lead-contaminated soil from 84 residential yards near the former Exide Battery Corp. site in Logansport, Indiana. This two-year project concluded on October 8, 2025, after the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) referred the site to the EPA in August 2021 due to high lead levels found in nearby yards.
Between 2021 and 2023, the EPA conducted assessments to understand the contamination's scope. "Ensuring the health and safety of our communities is at the heart of EPA's mission," said Anne Vogel, EPA Region 5 Administrator. She emphasized that removing contaminants not only protects current residents but also contributes to a healthier future.
Logansport Deputy Mayor Jacob Pomasl expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating it was a significant step toward enhancing community safety and health. Over two years, crews excavated contaminated soil from properties and transported approximately 16,664 tons for disposal at an approved facility. The areas were then backfilled with clean soil and restored with grass and plants.
The Exide Battery facility operated from around 1960 until its closure in 2009, with demolition occurring in 2016. Following IDEM's findings of lead concentrations as high as 692 parts per million—above safe residential levels—the EPA began cleanup efforts in fall 2023. The work expanded in 2024 to include more affected properties and concluded in fall 2025.
For further details on this cleanup effort, visit Exide Corporation Site removal website.
