Background/ History
The 3M Co., Commercial Graphics Division, Nevada site is located at 2120 E. Austin Blvd. in Nevada, Missouri. This facility is an active commercial graphics manufacturing facility. Since its construction in 1970, with expansions occurring periodically. The facility produces adhesive coated plastic films, primarily used for automotive pin striping, window graphics and signs. 3M installed five underground storage tanks in 1974 to contain various solvents used in the production areas. Product entered the tanks from a series of pipes extending above ground from tank car unloading racks parallel to the tank farm area.
From 1970 to 1987, 3M used a liquid waste and wet scrap incinerator to incinerate out-of-specification spent solvent and other spent coating solutions. Spent solvent was also stored in drums in an indoor hazardous waste storage area prior to incineration. 3M operated the incinerator and hazardous waste storage area under the “interim status” portions of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). 3M Nevada is recovering spent solvents under a Resource Recovery Certification, issued by the department.
Cleanup Summary
3M reclassified the hazardous waste storage area to a less than 90-day storage room for hazardous waste containers before shipping off-site for disposal. The containers are managed under generator storage requirements in 10 CSR 25-5. In 1988, 3M closed and dismantled the incinerator, graded the area flat and placed an eight-inch thick layer of crushed rock on the surface to prevent contact with potentially contaminated soils. Sampling conducted during closure identified soil contaminated with volatile organic compounds near the former above ground storage tank area, the former sump area, and south of the former electrical building. The groundwater below the former above ground storage tanks is also contaminated with low levels of ethyl benzene, n-butanol and xylenes. In 1991, additional contaminated soil was discovered in the area of the five underground solvent storage tanks. The tanks were removed and destroyed on site and approximately 300 cubic yards of contaminated soil was disposed of at a hazardous waste landfill.
3M is subject to corrective action because they completed closure of the interim status hazardous waste management units after the effective date of the federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments. 3M has met with department staff to discuss voluntarily entering into a Letter of Agreement, in an effort to simplify and streamline the corrective action process.
