Fansteel operated a tantalum and columbium extraction facility in Muskogee, Oklahoma from 1957 to 2001. The ores and slag processed there contained low levels of uranium (about 0.1%) and thorium (about 0.25%). EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) on September 6 or 7, 2023, after Oklahoma named it the state's highest priority facility in January 2023. Both dates appear in the source materials and are noted here as stated.
Hazardous substances found at the site include metals, radionuclides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These contaminants are present in soil, groundwater, containerized waste, on-site pond sediment, and surface water. They can pose health risks if people or animals inhale, ingest, or come into direct contact with them. Right now, contamination is contained within the site boundaries, and the wastewater treatment plant is preventing contaminants in runoff and groundwater from moving off-site. Warning signs are posted around the site perimeter, and unauthorized entry is not advised.
After Fansteel's first bankruptcy in 2002, a subsidiary called FMRI was created to manage cleanup under a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)-approved four-phase decommissioning plan. FMRI completed Phase 1 excavation and waste removal between 2005 and 2016, then stopped after Fansteel's second bankruptcy in 2016. Once FMRI's decommissioning trust ran out, EPA stepped in. In October 2024, EPA began a time-critical removal action expected to wrap up by late 2026. That work covers repairing and improving a temporary soil stockpile cap, disposing of containerized waste, and continuing to operate the wastewater treatment plant. A Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) is expected to begin in spring 2026 to guide long-term cleanup decisions. Human exposure status and groundwater migration status both show insufficient data at this time.
Community members can get involved by contacting EPA staff directly. EPA has committed to listening to community concerns, adjusting planned actions when public comments have merit, and keeping residents informed about ongoing and planned activities. Two EPA staff members handle questions about this site and welcome feedback from the public.
