Anniston PCB Site History And Timeline

An aerial view of the Anniston facility.

Anniston facility project history

The Anniston facility opened in 1917 as home of the Southern Manganese Corporation.  Monsanto acquired the facility in May 1935 and operated it until spinning off Solutia as an independent company in 1997. Eastman acquired Solutia in 2012 and now operates the Anniston facility.

From the late 1920s until 1971, the Anniston facility made polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which were used in heat transfer fluids, industrial hydraulic fluids and electrical equipment. During manufacturing, PCBs were sometimes released into surface water and flowed into Snow Creek and then Choccolocco Creek.

Site overview

The Anniston PCB site in Calhoun and Talladega counties, Alabama, has been under investigation for decades due to the presence of PCBs and other chemicals. The 2003 Partial Consent Decree required Solutia to conduct a remedial investigation and assess site feasibility for reuse. The site includes the Anniston facility, adjoining properties owned by Solutia, nearby residential and nonresidential properties, and portions of Choccolocco and Snow creeks and their 100-year floodplains.

Site areas

The site was divided into four areas — the Anniston facility, residential, nonresidential and Choccolocco Creek — because of size and varied land uses.  This division allows for parallel evaluations and expedites remedial actions.

Historically, PCB-containing solids were transported from the Anniston facility via surface water into Snow and Choccolocco creeks. During high flows, PCB-contaminated solids moved beyond the creek banks into the floodplains. Additionally, PCB relocation within residential and nonresidential areas led to contamination outside the Snow Creek 100-year floodplain. As upstream sources are cleaned up, PCB concentrations should decrease downstream in Choccolocco Creek.

Remediation strategy

Solutia and the EPA have sampled the site since 1999. Interim actions helped reduce human exposure while the extent of contamination was investigated. Solutia has worked with government agencies to educate the public and reduce exposure. 

Human health and exposure

Exposure has been evaluated across the site. The process starts with identifying the contaminant (PCBs) and how it moves (surface water flow or human activity). Next, materials affected by PCBs, like soil, are identified. Where and how exposure may occur are then identified. Once at-risk populations are identified, cleanup happens if PCB levels exceed risk levels. 

A gloved person grabs a handful of dirt.

History

Anniston facility project history

Site overview

Site areas

Remediation strategy

Human health and exposure

Find out more.