LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) --Â The Environmental Protection Agency spent weeks removing dangerous chemicals from a home in the Highview area.
More than 100 chemicals were found at 6213 Applegate Lane, including mercury and other poisons. The EPA is temporarily storing materials removed from that property at MSD’s Derek R. Guthrie Water Quality Treatment Plant.
Crews monitored the materials before moving six containers to MSD. The last container was moved on Oct. 30. A neighbor whose back property line borders the MSD wastewater treatment plant said she’s upset she wasn’t notified this was happening just feet from her backyard.
"They could have notified us first and put our minds at ease in the very beginning," Cindy Hobbs said. "I would like for the chemicals to be gone."
Chuck Berry, the EPA's federal on-scene coordinator for the demolition, said it was part of his team's plan "the whole time."
"Had we thought the material would impact any of the residents down there we would have taken the same precautions we did (on Applegate Lane)," Berry said.
He said the EPA saw reactions from the chemicals and explosives nearly every day during the demolition. However, he now believes the materials are stable because they were crushed and mixed with sand on site.
"Even if something happens to the material at MSD, there isn't anyone close enough to need to take an action aside from the people at the facility," he said. "All the material was solidified, so it's basically just dirt now."
Demolition of a home once-filled with dangerous chemicals and explosives is happening in Highview near Louisville, Kentucky on Nov. 2, 2023. (WDRB photo)
Berry said the materials are no longer technically considered hazardous waste.
"I expect the material will still be treated as if it were," Berry said. "And it will probably end up being buried in concrete."
He hopes to move the containers to another facility away from Hobbs' home within the next month.
"We intend to keep them there as short as possible," Berry said. "Time is more important than cost in this case."
There is an air monitoring system for the materials at MSD, and it's similar to the network available to Highview neighbors during demolition. To view that data, click here.
Though the EPA said neighbors shouldn't be concerned, Hobbs said that doesn't give her peace of mind.
"I don't feel better at this point because I don't trust them," Hobbs said.
When it comes to the EPA’s latest efforts on Applegate Lane, crews are breaking up foundation that’s left over from the house with explosives. The EPA will then fill it in with gravel and level it out before putting new sod down. Berry said this could take a few more weeks.
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