Ross Metals Inc.

Overview

Ross Metals Inc. is a former secondary lead smelter in Rossville, Fayette County, Tennessee. The facility operated from 1979 to 1992 and left behind contaminated groundwater, soil, sediment, and surface water. EPA placed the site on the Superfund National Priorities List in 1997. Cleanup was organized into three operable units, each targeting a different area or type of contamination.

EPA identified 31 contaminants of concern at the site. Metals make up most of the list, including lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and zinc, among others. These contaminants were found across multiple areas of the site, with most located in the source control zone. Lead was also identified separately in the groundwater operable unit.

Cleanup actions ran from 1994 through 2004. Workers removed thousands of gallons and tons of contaminated materials, demolished on-site buildings, excavated and disposed of contaminated soil and slag, and revegetated wetland areas. Fencing and covers were installed around contaminated zones. Physical construction was completed on September 16, 2004. The site was declared sitewide ready for anticipated reuse on December 18, 2008. Ongoing work now focuses on monitored natural attenuation, which tracks whether groundwater contamination breaks down on its own over time. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has placed institutional controls on the property, restricting groundwater use and limiting land use to industrial purposes unless prior approval is granted for other uses.

Two five-year review dates appear in the source materials. One section cites a 2019 Five-Year Review finding that all remedies are protective of human health and the environment and that human exposure is currently under control. Another section notes the most recent five-year review occurred on September 26, 2024. Both reviews are presented as confirming protectiveness. The site has not yet been deleted from the National Priorities List.

Community members can stay informed through public notices, public meetings, and interviews organized by EPA's community involvement program. The EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator and Remedial Project Manager are available to answer questions.