Updated January 15, 2025

 

In the summer of 2024, a routine cleaning process at Material Sciences Coil Coating Facility at 460 W. Main St. in Canfield, Ohio, dislodged process fluids from sealed piping that had deteriorated. The fluid, dark brown process water with high potential of hydrogen (pH) that contained cyanide and metals, discharged to a ditch adjacent to and extending north from the plant along the MetroParks Bikeway. On July 11, a pedestrian on the bikeway observed the process water in the ditch and notified the Cardinal Joint Fire Department, which alerted Material Sciences Corp. (MSC) and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) of the discharge. MSC hired environmental professionals for assistance and worked with the fire department and Ohio EPA to ensure that the dislodged fluid was collected and contained. ​ 

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During the investigation process, elevated concentrations of chemicals associated with the metal plating process were discovered in the ditch.  These are believed to be the result of releases that have occurred over the life of the facility. These residual impacts appear to have migrated downstream of the ditch into the surface water feature and towards the Sawmill Creek Tributary. Since July, MSC has been coordinating with Ohio EPA regarding next steps to address this contamination, which has included significant environmental investigations, impacted water collection efforts, and remedial interim measures. In collaboration with Ohio EPA, MSC has performed the following activities: 

 

• Installing temporary dams and five sumps within the adjacent ditch to collect impacted stormwater into onsite storage tanks and stop any migration into the surface water feature that is located north of the site;  

• Diverting clean stormwater away from the adjacent ditch;  

• Collecting impacted water from subsurface drainage pipes into on-Site storage tanks;  

• Properly disposing of impacted water offsite as hazardous waste;  

• Installing a fence between the adjacent ditch and the bikeway, with additional fencing planned to be placed around the surface water feature west of the bike path; 

• Implementing the September 30 Sampling and Analysis Plan approved by Ohio EPA and performing additional sampling as requested by Ohio EPA; 

• Installing liner on approximately 1,200 feet of the adjacent ditch in accordance with the Nov. 15, 2024 Ditch Interim Measure Work Plan, which was approved by the Ohio EPA. Details of the plan can be found here; 

• Entering into the Director’s Final Findings and Orders with Ohio EPA Dec. 31

 

Since these actions have been taken, there has been no breach of impacted process water beyond the line of compliance dam, formerly the Ohio EPA plywood dam, which is at the end of the adjacent ditch. Details associated with water collection efforts continue to be discussed with Ohio EPA during weekly updates. A separate report regarding the lining of the ditch will be provided following completion of the ditch liner installation.  

 

As part of the ongoing response, MSC’s environmental team has conducted onsite investigations within the adjacent ditch, within the surface water feature to the north of the property, and within the Sawmill Creek Tributary to assess potential soil, surface water, and groundwater impacts. A report detailing the investigation approach, results, and proposed next steps has been provided to Ohio EPA for review. The report can be viewed here. 

 

Testing has shown that residual impacts associated with the metal coating process are present in the adjacent ditch, surface water feature, and the Sawmill Creek Tributary.  Contaminates are present at higher concentrations in the adjacent ditch and lessen further downstream of the facility. Although downstream concentrations in the surface water feature and the Sawmill Creek Tributary are lower than the adjacent ditch, they are still observed above direct contact standards. Based on the data collected to date, MSC is planning the following in the near term: 

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• Additional soil sampling within the Sawmill Creek Tributary to determine potential interim measures, such as fencing;  

• Installation of a fence along the Sawmill Creek Tributary to address the potential for direct contact with impacts until additional sampling can be completed and proper remedy designed (MSC representatives will contact surrounding property owners to discuss access for fencing considerations);  

• Ecological assessment following Ohio EPA guidance in the surface water feature and the Sawmill Creek Tributary;   

• Continued diversion of clean stormwater away from the adjacent ditch and collection of impacted stormwater into onsite storage tanks to stop any migration into the surface water feature;  

• Completion of lining the adjacent ditch to prevent direct contact and to bypass clean storm water over impacted sediments. 

 

As this response effort continues to evolve, communications lines remain open with the City of Canfield, Canfield Local School District, Cardinal Joint Fire Department and Mahoning County Public Health to ensure the community is safe and informed. We will continue to provide updates to the public as investigations, remedies and planning move forward. If you would like to receive updates about the progress, click here to be added to the email list.  

 

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Questions from the Community

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1. How long have these impacts been present?

Electroplating operations at this plant have occurred since the 1950s, so we can’t say with confidence when releases occurred and how long these impacts have been present. Now that we know they’re present, MSC has been coordinating with Ohio EPA regarding next steps to address contamination, which has included significant environmental investigations, impacted water collection efforts, and remedial interim measures.

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2. What do the investigation results show?

Out of an abundance of caution, MSC’s investigation efforts focused on a large suite of analytes including known chemicals currently used in operations, as well as other analytes that may not have been used in the past prior to MSC ownership. Based on the extensive data collected to date, some chemicals have been identified which do not connect to MSC or previous ownership operations including Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds such as Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(a)pyrene, and Benzo(b)fluoranthene, for example. These chemicals are commonly observed along railroad and rail line activities. There was an active rail line in the area for many years prior to it being converted to the bikeway present today. Other chemicals identified also may not be associated with MSC.

           

The investigation was performed in general accordance with the September 31 Sampling and Analysis Plan approved by Ohio EPA. A report summarizing the initial investigation results was submitted to Ohio EPA December 12 and was posted on the Ohio EPA and MSC websites.  

 

As part of the ditch adjacent to MSC, surface water feature, and the Sawmill Creek Tributary investigation, August Mack collected 195 soil and nine surface water samples, which included:

i)   69 soil and three surface water samples in the Sawmill Creek Tributary

ii)  79 soil and four surface water samples in the adjacent ditch

iii) 47 soil and two surface water samples in the surface water feature 

 

There were no exceedances in the Sawmill Creek Tributary surface water associated with the facility’s electroplating process water. There were detections in the Sawmill Creek Tributary soil above U.S. EPA Residential Screening Levels (RSL), and further investigation is necessary. 

 

i)   Cyanide, zinc, and hexavalent chromium are associated with the facility’s electroplating process water and were detected in soil above RSLs in the Sawmill Creek Tributary.

 

ii)  79 Although arsenic detected in the soil exceeded the RSL, it appears that concentrations are within background levels based on the Ohio EPA Evaluation of Background Metal Soil Concentrations in Mahoning County report. As a naturally occurring element found in many soil and rock types across the planet, it’s common to find arsenic values above U.S. EPA screening levels in any environmental sampling. MSC does not believe arsenic is part of the process chemicals released from the site.

 

iii) Additional Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds were detected in soil above RSLs in the Sawmill Creek Tributary, however they are likely associated with the former railroad and do not appear to be related to MSC operations.  

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For information about the potential health impacts of any of these substances, please contact Mahoning County Public Health at 330-270-2855.

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3. What is the plan for cleanup within the Sawmill Creek Tributary?

All work will be completed in compliance with the Director’s Final Findings and Orders, entered into between Ohio EPA and Material Sciences Corporation Dec. 31. The Orders can be viewed here, and the Attachment to Orders can be viewed here.

 

Short term plan – A temporary fence to prevent any potential for direct contact is the first step.  After the fence is installed, additional sampling will be conducted to evaluate the extent of the contamination.

 

Long-term plan – The additional investigation results will be discussed with Ohio EPA to determine the exposure risk and long-term solution to properly design and cleanup the contamination where necessary.

 

4. Is my drinking water safe?   

 

Yes. According to the City of Canfield Water Department website, the City of Canfield owns and operates the Water Distribution for the City of Canfield. Canfield maintains two 1 million gallon storage tanks, an elevated storage tank located on Hilltop Boulevard and a ground storage tank located on Fairground Boulevard. Meander Water is the supplier of water and conducts all treatment activities related to the water distributed by the City of Canfield. Water is purchased in bulk from the City of Youngstown, and distributed throughout the City of Canfield. The City of Canfield owns the infrastructure for distributing water, and conducts routine maintenance and operational activities related to the water system, including but not limited to daily sampling, lead/copper monitoring, hydrant flushing, and emergency repairs. Additional information regarding Meander Water treatment activities can be found here https://www.meanderwater.org/ .

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