Hazardous Substance Research Centers/South & Southwest

Summary of assistance

TOSC has been contacted by a concerned citizen in the vicinity of Peach Metals, Inc. about visiting the area and helping with a review of environmental impacts from three or four sites in her community. Groundwater and soil concerns, as well as health concerns, are a priority for the community. TOSC visited the community on December 12, 2001, to look at the areas of concern. In addition to the Peach Metals site (now abandoned), the community is concerned about a company adjacent to Peach Metals, Pyrotechnic Specialties, Inc., which is under contract to the Department of Defense to produce and test explosives. The community is also concerned about inadequate wastewater treatment at the County's wastewater treatment plant, where high levels of fecal coliform have been found in water coming from a discharge pipe emptying into a local stream. A proposed landfill approximately one-half mile from the Peach Metals site also is raising concern. TOSC will assist with a document review, helping the community achieve 501(c)(3) status by identifying funding sources, and by attempting to gain information on Pyrotechnic's operations.