Sigma Aldrich Second Street

Background/ History

Sigma-Aldrich Inc.’s Second St. facility is located on 15-acres at 3300 S. Second St. in St. Louis. Sigma manufactures biochemical organic compounds and diagnostic reagents used for health and medical research, analysis, diagnostics, and research and development. They also produce specialty chemicals for manufacturing purposes. 

A variety of hazardous wastes were produced as part of the facility operations. Sigma stored the hazardous waste in containers and tanks before shipping off-site for disposal. Sigma operated the hazardous waste storage area under a department-issued hazardous waste permit, effective Sept. 30, 1986. The department approved a Class 1 Permit Modification on Aug. 16, 1996, allowing Sigma to withdraw its permit renewal application, close the permitted container and tank storage area and use the area for less than 90 day storage.

Cleanup Summary

Sigma conducted a risk-based closure of the hazardous waste storage area, as they had a couple of soil samples beneath the floor of the storage area that exceeded the any-use soil levels for lead. A Deed Notice, signed by the City of St. Louis Recorder of Deeds in 1997, was placed on the property in order to inform potential future buyers of the property that the property was used to manage hazardous waste. The department accepted Sigma’s closure certification for the hazardous waste container and tank storage area in 1998.

According to applicable state and federal hazardous waste laws and regulations, Sigma is required to investigate and clean up releases of hazardous waste and hazardous constituents to the environment at their facility resulting from present and past hazardous waste handling practices. Sigma is subject to corrective action, but is not subject to issuance or reissuance of a hazardous waste permit, because their original permit did not contain any corrective action conditions. Sigma is currently a candidate for an administrative order or Letter of Agreement to investigate and possibly remediate the areas identified at the site.