Arcwood Environmental-Joplin Inc.

Background/ History

The EBV Explosives Environmental Co. site is located on about 55 acres at 4174 County Road 180 in Carthage, Missouri. The property was originally owned by Atlas Powder Co. and part of an 1,800-acre site that included a chemicals and explosives manufacturing facility. Since 1910, the 1,800-acre site has operated as Atlas Powder Co., Atlas Chemical Industries, ICI and Atlas Environmental Services. The site was re-acquired by ICI Explosives USA Inc. in May 1990. In 1994, ICI built an incineration complex and magazine storage area to treat explosive/reactive wastes on part of the 1,800-acre site that had not been developed or used to store explosives. At that time, the incineration complex was owned by ICI Explosives USA Inc., and operated by ICI Explosives Environmental Co., a subsidiary separate from ICI Explosives USA Inc. In 2001, ICI reorganized. ICI Explosives USA retained ownership of the chemicals and explosives manufacturing facility and changed its name to Expert Management Inc. ICI Explosives Environmental Co. became the owner of the incineration complex and changed the company name to EBV Explosives Environmental Co. 

EBV, doing business as General Dynamics-Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Munitions Services, analyses, packages and treats various explosive/reactive hazardous wastes in its incinerator and Subpart X miscellaneous treatment units. The hazardous waste includes explosive/reactive wastes, off-specification and obsolete explosives and explosive devices, ammunition and propellants, munitions, fuses, detonators, pyrotechnics, pharmaceuticals containing nitroglycerin and materials contaminated with explosive/reactive wastes. In addition to the incinerator and Subpart X miscellaneous treatment units, EBV operates seven hazardous waste container storage areas under a department-issued Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Facility Part I Permit.

Cleanup Summary

The permits issued to the EBV facility require corrective action in the event there is a release of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents to the environment. EBV implemented an interim remedial measure to address soil and shallow groundwater contamination around some of the operating buildings. They have been approved to implement another interim remedial measure to address additional contaminated groundwater in the Northwestern portion of the site.