CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Wear-Ever, once a beacon of employment and prosperity in Chillicothe, now stands as a haunting reminder of a toxic legacy. Founded in 1948, the manufacturing giant was a vital source of employment until its closure in the late 1990s. Throughout its existence, Wear-Ever, under various ownerships, produced household goods that found their way into countless American homes.
However, beneath the facade of success, a dark secret lurked within the walls of the plant. In 1986, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report revealed contamination and potential worker exposure to hazardous chemicals. The true extent of the contamination only became apparent after the plant shut down, and a full EPA investigation was launched.
The Ohio EPA, in a cleanup order, identified Lead, Cadmium, TCE (trichloroethylene), Benzene, Vinyl Chloride, and other toxic volatile compounds as contaminants at the site. Most of these chemicals are known human carcinogens, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The EPA’s investigation revealed a massive TCE groundwater plume under the plant, indicating severe contamination by dangerous chemicals. Workers, unknowingly exposed on a daily basis, faced serious potential health hazards.
A local environmental group, “Wear-Ever Exposed,” has delved into records, uncovering the impact of these chemicals on workers. Spokespersons for the group shared stories of residents contracting various cancers and pulmonary ailments, linking them to their time at the plant.
EPA documents disclosed high TCE concentrations in sub-slab gas under areas where degreasing operations occurred. These toxic fumes permeated the production area, posing a constant threat to workers.
Remediation efforts at the former Wear-Ever plant have been ongoing for years, with regular groundwater monitoring. However, groundwater monitoring reports just published this week reveal persistently elevated TCE levels, extending as far as the Scioto River, the Barber Springs facility, and just south of the Chillicothe Wastewater Treatment Plant. The EPA assures that drinking water contamination is not a concern for most residents, as they are connected to the city’s water system. Only those relying on private wells in the vicinity remain susceptible.
Designated a Superfund Site by the EPA over the past three decades, Wear-Ever’s legacy is one of the most hazardous places in the nation. Former employees recollect what was once dismissed as sawdust within the building, revealing it to be walnut shell dust became contaminated during the polishing of porcelain fixtures. This seemingly innocuous substance was tainted with Lead and Cadmium, posing a serious health risk to those exposed.
Experts in the field of biochemistry say that TCE, Lead, Cadmium, Vinyl Chloride, Benzene, and Teflon are all chemicals that can have serious long-term health effects, especially if exposed to them at high levels for prolonged periods.
The CDC, in 2017, published a study about the effects of many of these toxic substances at the Camp Lejeune military facility in North Carolina. The similarities between exposure at Camp Lejeune and the Wear-Ever plant in Chillicothe are striking.
TCE (trichloroethylene) is a solvent that was once widely used in degreasing and metal cleaning. It is now known to be a carcinogen, and long-term exposure to TCE has been linked to an increased risk of kidney cancer, liver cancer, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. TCE can also cause neurological problems, such as dizziness, headache, and memory loss, as well as reproductive problems and birth defects.
Lead is a heavy metal that is toxic to the nervous system. Long-term exposure to lead can cause a variety of health problems, including brain damage, kidney damage, and nerve damage.
Cadmium is another heavy metal that is toxic to the kidneys. Long-term exposure to cadmium can cause kidney damage, as well as bone damage, lung cancer, and prostate cancer. Cadmium can also be a reproductive hazard.
Vinyl Chloride is a gas that was once widely used in the manufacture of plastics. It is now known to be a carcinogen, and long-term exposure to vinyl chloride has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer, lung cancer, and brain cancer. Vinyl Chloride can also cause neurological problems and reproductive problems.
Benzene is a colorless liquid that is found in gasoline and other petroleum products. It is also a known carcinogen, and long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to an increased risk of leukemia and other blood cancers. Benzene can also cause neurological problems and reproductive problems.
Teflon is a coating that is used on cookware to prevent food from sticking. It is made from a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, reproductive problems, and thyroid problems.
Since there have been decades since the closure of the facility, a study of worker exposures was never done. Some residents argue that the companies that owned Wear-Ever, knew of these dangers but kept that information from the employees, hoping that the possibility of anything that would lead to the plant closing down, and the loss of hundreds of area jobs would be enough to keep anyone from speaking out.
The group “Wear-Ever Exposed,” in a statement to the Guardian, said “The time for secrecy is over, and the truth about worker exposure and contamination needs revealed”. The founder of the group said their uncle died from COPD caused by exposure to the various chemicals used at the Chillicothe facility. “He didn’t smoke, he was a marathon runner, and was an avid outdoorsman. I watched him slowly die,” he stated. “His death is linked to this plant and those toxic chemicals.”
Another member of the community shared the story of their mother who later developed Multiple Myeloma after working at the plant. “It was so painful for her,” one resident said. Their mother, Barbara Weaver, spent a decade working at Wear-Ever. “Who would have ever thought that Wear-Ever was a dangerous place. She was in a lot of pain for something that may have been avoided.”
Phil McMullen, another local resident, worked at the plant from 1978 to 1989. He would later develop cancer. Mike Hall, according to his family, worked at Wear-Ever for nearly 25 years before developing a rare form of Lymphoma. The family said that exposure to Benzene at the plant was the suspected cause of the disease that would later claim his life.
The group, “Wear-Ever Exposed” seeks to hold the corporations involved in the operations and ownership of the facility accountable. “If time is not on our side, and has run out to seek financial compensation for the families of workers, we hope to at least show the world that these companies directly contributed to the deaths of dozens upon dozens of their hardworking employees.”
Currently, Howmet Aerospace utilizes the site.
The Guardian also reached out to some of the remaining companies that previously owned the plant including Alcoa Inc., and Hamilton-Beach for comment. As of this publication, we have yet to hear back from them.
*All EPA documents are public records. Those related to the Wear-Ever plant can be found by visiting the Ohio EPA’s website.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was edited to clarify the difference in ownership between ALOCA and its predecessor companies.