U.S. Water News Online
MESA, Ariz. -- A defense contractor responsible for groundwater contamination in east Mesa is seeking a permit to continue burning ammonium nitrate and perchlorate rocket propellants for at least another 10 years, a move that concerns environmentalists and residents.
Talley Defense Systems has been making propellant-based products such as shoulder-launched weapons, emergency ejection seats for airplanes and airbag components for cars at the Mesa site since 1966.
Talley has been in negotiations for nearly 20 years with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to procure what is known as a "Part B" permit to continue open burning to dispose of chemicals such as perchlorate.
Studies indicate that ammonium perchlorate may be linked to thyroid problems in humans, particularly children and pregnant women.
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report dating back to 1980 identified the underground plume of contamination at Talley's burn site but did not recommend additional testing or cleanup activities.
The report says environmental officials at that time believed perchlorate contamination was present in the soil. But they declared the site a "low priority for inspection" because of its topography and remote location.
"Hazardous wastes may have been disposed of on site," EPA staff member Paula Besson agreed in a handwritten comment added to the report in 1983. "However, the fact that a cone of depression exists in the groundwater in the area, the remoteness of the area and the depth to groundwater (500 to 600 feet), make this a low priority for follow-up."
But in the 25 years that followed the report, growth and development encroached on the Talley site, with hundreds of east Mesa homes now within a mile of its location.
Talley spokeswoman Sue Kobyleski said in a statement that her company is aware of the problem and is working on a plan to clean up the perchlorate contamination.
"We have been proactively testing our site to monitor any environmental impacts," she said. "With ADEQ we have addressed potential areas of concern over the past 15 years and are actively working with ADEQ on the topic of perchlorate remediation."
Kobyleski said her company already has significantly reduced the amount and frequency of ammonium nitrate and perchlorate burning, and that it now ships the bulk of its chemical waste to a disposal facility in Louisiana.
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