Attorney General's News Release

May 15, 1998

Nixon files suit against owners of former herbicide facility in north Kansas City for hazardous waste violations

Jefferson City, Mo. — A north Kansas City site where herbicides were manufactured and stored for more than 40 years contains leaking drums of hazardous waste and needs to be properly cleaned up, Attorney General Jay Nixon said today.

Nixon filed a petition for an injunction and civil penalties today in Clay County Circuit Court against K.C. 1986 Limited Partnership and Donald E. Horne, the owners of the site at 2251 Armour Road, asking that they be held responsible for the proper cleanup and disposal of more than 100 55-gallon drums.

The site was used by several companies from 1942 to 1986 to manufacture, blend, store and distribute herbicides. Tests by the Department of Natural Resources showed the contents of some of the drums contain high levels of arsenic and other possible contaminants. Several of the drums were leaking or bulging, with no proper containment system in place.

Nixon said the site failed to meet several other standards set by law for the storage of hazardous waste.

"Hazardous waste requires proper handling, storage and disposal, all of which are lacking here," Nixon said. "It is vital that those responsible are held accountable for cleaning up this site."

Nixon is asking the court to order the defendants to comply with Missouri's hazardous waste laws and to assess civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for any hazardous waste violations.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818