Pesticide Warehouse I

⚠ Superfund · Remedy selected

Due to the complexity of the karst terrain hydrogeology at the site, EPA has determined that site investigations and remediation should be addressed in two operable units. The first operable unit (OU-1) will evaluate soil contamination. The second operable unit (OU-2) will determine the nature and extent of groundwater contamination.

Location

CityArecibo
CountyArecibo County
StatePuerto Rico
Coordinates18.43556, -66.60000

Contaminants of concern

Contaminated media

Cleanup timeline

  1. Initial Assessment Completed — 06/30/1989
  2. Proposed to the National Priorities List — 09/23/2004
  3. Finalized on the National Priorities List — 09/27/2006
  4. Remedial Investigation Started — 05/02/2007
  5. Final Remedy Selected — 09/30/2020
  6. Final Remedial Action Started — Estimated Sep - Nov 2027
  7. Construction Completed — Not Yet Achieved
  8. Deleted from National Priorities List — Not Yet Achieved
  9. Most Recent Five-Year Review — Not Yet Achieved
  10. Achieved Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Reuse — Not Yet Achieved

EPA references

Other Superfund sites in Arecibo County

EPA-regulated facilities nearby

Understanding this Superfund site

Pesticide Warehouse I is a federal Superfund site in Puerto Rico. The Superfund program, created by Congress in 1980, addresses sites where hazardous substances have been released or threaten release into the environment. EPA scores potential sites using the Hazard Ranking System; those that score high enough are placed on the National Priorities List.

Current status: Remedy selected. EPA has selected a cleanup remedy but construction has not yet begun. The remedy selection process involves a feasibility study, public comment period, and a Record of Decision documenting the chosen approach.

EPA has identified 10 contaminants of concern at this site, including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (tcdd) toxicity equivalents (teq), 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (diuron), aldrin. Contamination has been detected in soil.

If you live near this site and have health concerns, your state health department can provide site-specific guidance. EPA maintains a community involvement program for most NPL sites, and site documents — including the Record of Decision, five-year reviews, and public health assessments — are typically available through EPA's Superfund site profile.