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EPA Superfund Site

MONTROSE CHEMICAL CORP.

CA | EPA ID CAD008242711

Human exposure is NOT currently under control

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of April 2024, the Montrose Chemical Corporation Superfund site is considered “Current Human Exposure Not Under Control” (HENC) because the Palos Verdes Operable Unit (OU5) has ocean sediment contaminated with significant levels of DDT and PCBs. These contaminants impact fish that reside in the area, especially the white croaker. Human exposure occurs through consumption of contaminated fish caught within the Palos Verdes Shelf area. This exposure pathway is considered unacceptable based on EPA risk-based criteria because consumption of white croaker fillets harvested from the Palos Verdes Shelf area has a lifetime cancer risk of 6 x 10-3 due to high level of DDT and PCBs in the fish (2009 Interim Record of Decision).

The 2009 Interim Record of Decision remedy consists of continuation of the Institutional Controls (ICs) program along with monitored natural recovery (MNR) and capping the most contaminated sediments. Currently, a comprehensive ICs program is in place and consists of white croaker bag limits, advisories and warnings for the area, educational outreach programs, and a commercial fishing ban on catching white croaker from the PV Shelf. However, periodic monitoring of the local fishing piers show that white croakers are still being caught by independent anglers for consumption. If you are impacted by risks inherent at this site, please go to www.pvsfish.org to learn about fish contamination and ways to reduce your exposure risks from consuming contaminated fish harvested from the Palos Verdes Shelf area. EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by 2035 and will continue the current ICs program (education, outreach, monitoring, and enforcement) until a final remedy is selected for the site.

In addition, EPA in consultation with the Palos Verdes Shelf Technical Exchange Group, EPA is currently working on an updated Feasibility Study with Updated Conceptual Site Model and Risk Assessment. The updated Feasibility Study will select the final remedy for Palos Verdes Shelf.

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Data limitations: Proximity to a Superfund site boundary does not mean your property is contaminated. EPA site boundaries show the area designated for cleanup, not the full extent of contamination. Groundwater plumes can extend beyond site boundaries. This tool shows publicly available EPA federal data. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by EPA, and is not a substitute for a professional environmental assessment.

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