FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. (News First) – Hazardous cleanup work continues at the Critical Mineral Recovery site in Fredericktown after that company’s building went up in flames last week, spewing toxic materials into the air and into some streams. Critical Mineral Recovery recycles lithium batteries. The latest from the E.P.A. says the heavy rain has caused added challenges.
The specialized firefighters working inside the building are dealing with smoldering material and working systematically at moving the material, treating it, and allowing it to cool. They say these firefighters continue to operate in a manner to produce as little smoke as possible. Environmental contractors are still working to capture anymore run-off from the building. Soil was excavated and used to create a berm to help control run-off from inside the building. Other drainage trenches were dug to capture run-off and direct it to an existing retention pond onsite.
The run-off is then pumped into frac tanks for storage, testing, and eventual disposal. The contractor has mobilized additional frac tanks to prepare for run-off from the heavy rainfall we experienced. Water testing efforts also continue. The Missouri DNR, US Fish and Wildlife, and expert environmental contractors continue to have regimented testing of waterways leaving the site. Water samples are being run through state and private labs with results still pending. Air testing work also continues. The E.P.A. says air testing data continues to be analyzed in real time. They say if at any time detections are made, the incident command is notified for decision-making. The Fredericktown School District continues to be in direct contact with the EPA and incident command to make informed decisions on air quality and general operational information.
The EPA has continued to utilize the Fredericktown campus to house a fixed air monitoring station. The news release from the EPA says some have voiced concerns that the air monitoring data has not been made available to the public. The EPA says this remains a goal to ensure transparency. The EPA continues its work in packaging this data into an accessible and understandable format for public consumption. Air testing results are expected to be added to the EPA’s incident response page when this is complete. Critical Mineral Recovery continues to make available the Community Information Hotline at 314-576-9134. Critical Mineral Recovery has supplied or is in the process of supplying monetary aid for those who were displaced by the fire. This work is being facilitated by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the Madison County Emergency Management.
