Chemform, Inc.

Overview

From 1967 to 1985, a precision machine shop on this four-acre property in Pompano Beach, Florida made metal parts for the aerospace industry. Poor waste handling left behind contaminated soil and groundwater, and the EPA added the site to the National Priorities List in October 1989. The property is now a wholesale produce distribution center surrounded by industrial businesses.

Six contaminants were found in groundwater: 1,4-dichlorobenzene, arsenic, chromium(VI), dichloromethane (also called methylene chloride), naphthalene, and nickel. Workers removed about 3,600 cubic yards of contaminated soil, debris, drums, sludge, and containerized chemicals between 1990 and 1992. A 1992 EPA decision required quarterly groundwater monitoring, and a 1993 decision found no further action was needed for soil. In 1999, the EPA added vinyl chloride to the list of groundwater contaminants. The site was deleted from the National Priorities List in July 2000 after cleanup goals were met.

Human exposure is under control, and groundwater contamination has not spread beyond its original area or discharged into surface water. Nearby residents and workers get their drinking water from the public water system, and EPA testing found that vapor intrusion from groundwater poses no threat to workers. The state of Florida designated the site and surrounding area as a groundwater delineation area, meaning all new wells require district approval. Institutional controls also restrict potable well installation where the property borders public water mains. The site is fenced to limit public access.

A fourth Five-Year Review completed in 2020 found the remedy protective of human health and the environment in the short term. A fifth Five-Year Review was completed in September 2025. The EPA has transferred oversight to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for future work but retains responsibility for all Five-Year Reviews. A long-term response action began in June 2021 and remains ongoing under EPA oversight.

Community members can stay involved through EPA outreach efforts, which include public notices, public meetings, and interviews about cleanup activities. The EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator and Remedial Project Manager handle questions about the site. Documents are also available online through the EPA website or in person at the Broward County Public Library in Fort Lauderdale at 100 S. Andrews Avenue.