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Community concerns surrounding Velsicol’s next move: Superfund site or waste management in Tennessee


A chemical company in North Memphis, Velsicol, is seeking to renew a state permit that would allow hazardous waste operations at its defunct facility. Unlike other Velsicol facilities that have become Superfund sites, the Memphis location has been operating under a state permit since 2014. Critics question whether the company is using this permit to avoid national Superfund site status. Velsicol’s history includes creating chemicals described as “elixirs of death” by Rachel Carson in her book “Silent Spring,” which led to national environmental policy changes. A public meeting on March 21 will address Velsicol’s permit renewal plans, following their recent bankruptcy filing. Environmental advocates like Protect Our Aquifer question the slow cleanup process under the state permit, arguing for more federal oversight like the Superfund program. Velsicol’s legacy of toxicity in Memphis includes ongoing efforts to reduce a plume of chemicals beneath its facility. Concerns remain about the impact on the Memphis Sands Aquifer, a major drinking water source. Velsicol is also facing violations from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) for mislabeling materials and lacking documentation of hazardous waste management training. Contamination at a neighboring affordable housing complex has further raised concerns about residential exposure to hazardous waste. The company’s remediation efforts involve consolidating and monitoring contaminated soil on its property, while ongoing scrutiny from advocates and regulators continues. The Lookout’s investigation reveals a complex and ongoing environmental challenge in Memphis, as Velsicol’s toxic legacy persists despite regulatory oversight.

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