PIKETON, Ohio – Two new reports submitted this week by Fluor-BWXT to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shed light on the ongoing contamination issues at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS). The reports, issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), confirm that toxic vapor intrusion remains a serious concern, while also outlining the government’s latest attempt to reassure the public about long-term waste containment efforts at the site.
Vapor intrusion: Another chapter in PORTS’ contamination saga
The first report, Vapor Intrusion Corrective Measures Implementation, details DOE’s response to dangerously high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in three occupied buildings: the X-700 Chemical Cleaning Facility, X-705 Decontamination Building, and X-720 Maintenance Building. The agency has been under pressure to act since July 2023, when the Ohio EPA issued a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) order mandating permanent vapor intrusion mitigation at the site.
For years, VOCs – including the well-documented carcinogen trichloroethene (TCE) – have been migrating from contaminated groundwater into occupied buildings. Temporary mitigation measures were already in place, but DOE has now announced a more permanent fix:
- Sealing cracks, floor drains, and other entry points where toxic vapors seep through.
- Installing Air Purification Units (APUs) and high-velocity fans to keep indoor air moving.
- Reconfiguring HVAC systems to reduce vapor accumulation.
- Ventilation upgrades, including exhaust fans and air makeup systems.
- Sump redesign in X-705, a known contamination hotspot where TCE-laced groundwater has been in direct contact with sumps.
The X-705 building is the biggest concern, with the report admitting that “elevated indoor air concentrations of hazardous vapors” were detected. The DOE’s response? A system of hard-shell enclosures and ductwork to funnel TCE vapors into an exhaust fan—a Band-Aid solution for a problem that has persisted for decades.
Despite these mitigation measures, toxic vapor intrusion remains an active threat, and DOE’s timeline for completing this work stretches well into 2025. The agency expects:
- X-700 and X-720 mitigation to be complete in Q1 2025.
- X-705 automation upgrades to be in place before the first VI sampling event of 2025.
Quarterly monitoring will continue, with an annual Vapor Intrusion Corrective Measures report submitted to the Ohio EPA. But the reality is clear: DOE is still racing to keep up with a problem that should have been handled years ago.
Five-year waste review: A recycled promise of safety
The second report, the Draft Five-Year Review Work Plan for the Waste Disposition Project, takes a broader look at DOE’s handling of contamination at PORTS. The five-year review is required under a 2010 Ohio EPA order and is meant to ensure that past cleanup efforts are actually working.
The main focus is the On-Site Waste Disposal Facility (OSWDF), a controversial landfill built to store radioactive and chemical waste from the plant’s decontamination and decommissioning process. The report lays out a laundry list of environmental monitoring measures, including:
- Tracking groundwater, air, leachate, and soil conditions for signs of contamination.
- Assessing the effectiveness of waste containment barriers at the OSWDF.
- Checking for regulatory changes that might impact site operations.
- Engaging the public with a review process and community meetings.
The review will cover all waste management activities since May 25, 2021, with findings due to the Ohio EPA by May 25, 2026.
The big question: Is the waste really contained?
DOE insists that the OSWDF is safe, but locals have reason to be skeptical. The review will evaluate whether leachate—the toxic liquid that accumulates in waste landfills—is migrating into groundwater. It will also examine air emissions to determine if hazardous materials are escaping into the environment.
Among the biggest concerns:
- TCE contamination in groundwater remains an ongoing threat.
- Radioactive and hazardous waste stored at OSWDF could pose long-term risks.
- Failure to manage leachate and emissions properly could lead to toxic exposure in surrounding communities.
To maintain its regulatory standing, DOE must submit quarterly reports on OSWDF conditions and meet strict environmental guidelines under RCRA, CERCLA, and Ohio EPA regulations. But compliance on paper does not necessarily mean safety in reality.
Public engagement: A formality or a real opportunity?
DOE promises a public notification process, allowing residents to review the five-year plan and provide input. However, past experiences suggest that public feedback is often dismissed in favor of maintaining the government’s predetermined agenda.
Once the review is complete, the DOE is required to meet with the Ohio EPA to discuss findings and determine if additional corrective actions are necessary. If history is any indication, these discussions will happen behind closed doors, with little accountability to the public.
Final thoughts: The cycle continues
These reports confirm what many already suspected: PORTS remains a contaminated site with unresolved environmental hazards. While DOE is taking action, the timeline for completion is slow, and the risks associated with both vapor intrusion and waste containment remain serious concerns.
Here’s where things stand:
- Vapor intrusion mitigation won’t be fully completed until later this year—leaving workers exposed to toxic air in the meantime.
- The five-year review of the waste facility won’t be finished until 2026, meaning concerns over groundwater and air emissions will linger for years.
- Public engagement remains questionable, with DOE historically prioritizing corporate and government interests over local concerns.
The people of Piketon have been given decades of reassurance but little peace of mind. These latest reports add to the pile of documents outlining contamination, mitigation, and promises of safety. But in a town where cancer clusters, toxic exposures, and broken government trust are part of the legacy, paper commitments mean nothing without real accountability.
For now, the DOE will continue its cycle of quarterly reports, public meetings, and technical assessments. The real question is: Will it ever be enough?