Alabama Army Ammunition Plant
The Alabama Army Ammunition Plant (ALAAP), was a United States munitions plant built and operated during World War II. The facility is located four miles (6 km) north of Childersburg, Alabama in Talladega County, Alabama.
| Alabama Army Ammunition Plant | |
|---|---|
| Superfund site | |
| Geography | |
| City | Childersburg |
| County | Talladega |
| State | Alabama |
| Coordinates | 33°20′N 86°20′W |
  Alabama Army Ammunition Plant Location of the site shown within Alabama. | |
| Information | |
| CERCLIS ID | AL6210020008 |
| Contaminants | 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene 1,3-Dinitrobenzene 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Antimony Arsenic Asbestos Barium Cadmium Chromium Hexavalent chromium Lead Mercury N-Nitrosodimethylamine Nickel Polychlorinated biphenyls Tetryl[1] |
| Progress | |
| Proposed | October 15, 1984 |
| Listed | July 22, 1987 |
| List of Superfund sites | |
History
The ALAAP was built in 1941 as a production facility for nitrocellulose (NC), trinitrotoluene (TNT), dinitrotoluene (DNT), tetryl, and single-base smokeless powder.[2] The facility, operated by DuPont, had a peak production rate of nearly 40 million pounds (18 million kg) of munitions per month. It also produced heavy water for the Manhattan Project.[3] The facility ceased operation in August 1945 and was placed on standby status after the end of the war.[2] During the war, the plant covered more than 13,000 acres (53 km²).
After the end of the war, various portions of the plant were leased out for commercial operations. Most of the original structures have been destroyed, although the government retains responsibility for more than 2,000 acres (8 km²) of the facility.
Superfund site designation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated the plant as a Superfund site in 1987. Chemicals from the manufacturing areas of the site had contaminated groundwater and soil on the property. The Army began cleanup activities on the site in the 1990s.[4]
See also
References
- "Contaminants of Concern at Alabama Army Ammunition Plant". Superfund Site Information. Washington, D.C.: United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). January 20, 2009. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
- United States Army Environmental Center Base Closure Division, Site Management Plan; Alabama Army Ammunition Plant, Talladega County, Alabama, May 10, 1995. Pages 5-6.
- United States Army Environmental Center Base Closure Division, Site Management Plan; Alabama Army Ammunition Plant, Talladega County, Alabama, May 10, 1995. Page 22.
- "Site Information for Alabama Army Ammunition Plant". Superfund Site Profile. EPA. Archived from the original on 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2017-03-19.