A STUDY OF SOME OF THE CHEMICALS KNOWN TO BE AT GREAT LAKES CHEMICAL CORPORATION (CHEMTURA) CENTRAL PLANT

EPA SUPERFUND FILES RELATED PATHFINDERS CAMP

US EPA, Toxics Release Inventory 1987 through 2003, 
Great Lakes Chemical Corp. - Central

CAMP TESTING EFFORTS AND RESULTS

Facility Detail Report 07/07/2005

Managers, corporate officials, and board directors of Great Lakes Chemical Corporation broke the law, routinely, for 40 years. This resulted in sickness and death for many uninformed human beings. Directors bought the company from themselves, and changed the name to “Chemtura.”

The table below is to identify each of the toxic chemicals reported as being onsite at the chemical plant next to camp.  Each highlighted chemical name is a link to information about health effects.   All of these health effects pages are still in a rough draft form.      My goal is to turn each one of these health effects pages into something that can be easily read and used by Pathfinders who have been exposed to these toxic chemicals from the chemical plant next to camp.  The chemical names with (strongly suspected) are those which I have good reason to strongly suspect as being on this site, but am still verifying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html

www.osha.gov

www.google.com 

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/

http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com

EPA Terms of the Environment

http://www.epa.gov/edockets

http://www.epa.gov/

http://www.yahoo.com 

scorecard.org

Medical Encyclopedia Service of US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health

Columbia University College of P & S Complete Home Medical Guide

Excerpts from Yahoo News September 27, 2003

ENSCO SCRUBBER BRINE

N-BUTYL ALCOHOL

ETHYLENE

AMMONIA

PHENOL

BROMOFORM

BROMINE

PHOSGENE

 CYANIDE

TERR-O-GAS 57, BROMOMETHANE, METHYL BROMIDE

TOLUENE

METHYLENE CHLORIDE

CHLORINE

TRIETHYLAMINE

ETHYLENE DICHLORIDE

CHLOROPICRIN

ZINC COMPOUNDS

TRICHLOROETHYLENE

DECABROMODIPHENYL OXIDE
DE - 83, DE - 83R

ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE

1,2-BUTYLENE OXIDE

DICHLOROMETHANE

STYRENE

BENZYL BROMIDE

HYDRAZINE

TERT-BUTYL ALCOHOL

1,2-DIBROMO-3-
CHLOROPROPANE

METHANOL

2,4,6-TRIBROMOPHENOL

POLYCHLORINATED BYPHENYLS
(PCBs)

CHLOROFLOUROCARBONS (CFCs)

TETRAETHYL LEAD (TEL)
(Strongly Suspected)

CARBON TETRACHLORIDE

ETHYLENE OXIDE

HYDROCHLORIC ACID

SULFURIC ACID

SODIUM HYDROXIDE (SOLUTION)

METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE

FORMIC ACID

2-ETHYL HEXANOL

AGRIBROM

FIREMASTER 836/HP36

AMMONIUM BROMIDE - DRY

ANTIMONY OXIDE

BA59, BA59P

BROMICIDE (BCDMH)

CALCIUM BROMIDE

CHROMIUM (VI)

CN - 2065/BZ - 54

CUPRIC BROMIDE

CUPRIC OXIDE

CYCLOALIPHATIC EPOXY -
(ERL - 4221)

DE-60F SPECIAL,DE - 71, CN1308
POLYBBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS (PBDEs)

DE - 79
Octabromodiphenyl ether

HEXABROMOBENZENE

DIPHENYL OXIDE

ETHANOL

ETHYL BROMIDE

HYDROBROMIC ACID

FUEL OIL #6

HYPERSOLVE NPB

HYDROGEN BROMIDE, ANHYDROUS

HYDROGEN

MOLECULAR SIEVE 4 ADG

TITANIUM ISOPROPOXIDE

TEBOL 99 ALCOHOL - (TERTIARY)

POTASSIUM BROMIDE

N-PROPYL BROMIDE

POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE

SULFUR DIOXIDE

N-BUTYL BROMIDE

FILTER AID

SODIUM THIOSULFATE

SURFACTANT N 95

ETHYLHEXYL ALCOHOL

5,5 - DIMETHYLHYDANTION

FORMALDEHYDE

TRITON N101 SURFACTANT

PE - 68

AMMONIUM ACETATE

PETRO GREEN (LCAII)

NITROGEN

KRONITEX 50

FR25, BC58

CETYL BROMIDE

PHOSFLEX 31P

PHENYL CHLOROFORMATE

MAGNESOL - (DP - 45)

DIESEL FUEL #2

SODA ASH

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH - (FILTER AID)

FR25, BC58

SODIUM BROMIDE

CN 2444

GASOLINE

SODIUM GLUCONATE

CALCIUM HYDROXIDE - (HYDRATED)

GP3000-CARPOL - (DE - 71)

SODIUM SALT

BUTYLENE OXIDE

HAMPAMIDE B

SODIUM THIOCYNATE

BROMOCHLOROMETHANE

IRON POWDER

ZINC BORATE

BROMO 55/DIHALO

ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL

ZINC BROMIDE

BISPHENOL  A

ISOPROPYL BROMIDE

ZINC OXIDE

BC52, BC52HP, BC54

MAGNESOL - (DP - 45)

ANHYDROUS AMMONIA

ALUMINUM CHLORIDE, ANHYDROUS

METHYLAL PURE GRADE

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

2-PENTANOL

PHT - 4
3,4,5,6-
TETRABROMOPHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE

RB - 49

2-BROMOPENTANE

REFOS - 35

REFOS - 50

1,2-BIS
(2,4,6-TRIBROMOPHENOXY)
ETHANE

1-BROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE

SODIUM HYDROSULFIDE

2,2',6,6'-
TETRABROMOBISPHENOL A
(TBBPA)

1,2,5,6,9,10-
HEXABROMOCYCLODODECANE

3,4,5,6-
TETRABROMOPHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE

BROMOBENZENE

1-BROMOPROPANE

DECABROMOBIPHENYL ETHER

5,5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN

2,3-DIBROMOPROPANOL

1,3-DICHLORO-5,
5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN

3-BROMO-1-CHLORO-5,
5-DIMETHYLHYDANTOIN

2,4,6-TRIBROMOANILINE

BENZENE

SODIUM BROMIDE

ISOPROPYL BROMIDE

NITRIC ACID

HYDROBROMIC ACID

AMMONIUM NITRATE

ALLYL BROMIDE

BROMOCHLORO-
DIFLUOROMETHANE

CHLOROTRIFLUOROMETHANE

VINYL BROMIDE

1-BROMO-2-FLUOROETHANE

1-BROMO-2-CHLOROETHANE

TETRABROMOPHTHALIC
ANHYDRIDE

STRONTIUM

METHYLMERCURY
(Strongly Suspected)

POTASSIUM CYANIDE
(Strongly Suspected)

SODIUM CYANIDE
(Strongly Suspected)

HYDROGEN CYANIDE
(Strongly Suspected)

ISOBUTYLENE

POTASSIUM SILVER CYANIDE
(Strongly Suspected)

PHOSPHORUS

PHOSPHORIC ACID

LEAD

DIMETHYLPROPYL

CHLOROETHYL ESTERS
30 DIFFERENT KINDS

BERYLLIUM

ARSENIC

SELENIUM

2-6-DIBROMOPHENOL

2-4-DIBROMOPHENOL

NICKEL

BIS(2-ETHYL HEXYL)
NONANEDECANOIC ACID

CHLORIDE

IRON

MANGANESE

SULFATE

SODIUM

BARIUM

CHROMIUM

FLUORIDE

SILVER

NITRATE (AS NITROGEN)

MERCURY

ENDRIN

LINDANE

METHOXYCHLOR

TOXAPHENE

2,4-DICHLOROPHENOZYACETIC ACID (2,4-D)

2-(2,4,
5-TRICHLOROPHENOXY)
PROPIONIC ACID
(2,4,5, TP SILVEX)

HEXACHLOROETHANE

METHYLENE CHLORIDE

1,2,4 TRICHLOROBENZENE

BENZOIC ACID

COLIFORM BACTERIA

4,4'-ISOPROPYLIDENEDIPHENOL

RADIUM 226

RADIUM 228

ALUMINUM

Other documented hazards of concern include:  Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Radioactivity

Some Amendments to Learn About

SUPPLEMENTARY RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS SUMMARY Identification and Listing of Hazardous Wastes Organobromines Production Wastes April 1998

Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, El Dorado Air Division, $3,750 Penalty

Great Lakes Chemical Corp., El Dorado Water Division, $2,500 penalty, SEP $3,500
After doing the math in a letter from the EPA to Nick T. Macchiarolo Manager, Plant Engineering Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, you will find that the EPA found 720,000 times the MCL of  EHTYLENE DIBROMIDE  (EDB).  I was told that this information was thrown out because speculation had been done on the type of landfill.  Regardless of type of landfill, this is too much too close to camp.
On November 7, 1986, EPA published a final rule (51 FR 40572) establishing the regulatory framework to implement the land disposal restrictions program, including the procedures for submitting case-bycase extension applications.
On August 18, 1992, EPA published a final rule (57 FR 37194, 37252), establishing treatment standards under the land disposal restrictions (LDR) program for certain listed hazardous wastes, including the following:
  1. K117--Wastewaters from the reactor vent gas scrubber in the production of ethylene dibromide via the bromination of ethylene.
  2. K118--Spent adsorbent solids from the purification of EDB produced by bromination of ethylene.
  3. K131--Wastewater from the reactor and acid dryer from the production of methyl bromide.
  4. K132--Spent adsorbent and wastewater separator solids from the production of methyl bromide.
    Because of a determination that available treatment, recovery, or disposal (TRD) capacity did not exist at that time for wastewaters K117, K118, K131, and K132 that are underground injected, EPA granted a two-year national capacity variance for these wastes.

This chemical plant was so out of control that they requested "an extension of the June 30, 1994, effective date of the RCRA land disposal restrictions (LDR) treatment standards applicable to wastewaters with the hazardous wastes codes K117, K118, K131, K132, and F039. to be granted such a request, the applicant must demonstrate, among other things, that there is insufficient capacity to manage its waste and that he has entered into a binding contractual commitment to construct or otherwise provide such capacity, but due to circumstances beyond its control, such capacity could not reasonably be made available by the effective date."  During this time, they continued releasing toxic waste on our camp.

3rd Party Request Submitted by Great Lakes Chemical Corporation Regulation Establishing Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Arkansas
Ambient air concns of bromobenzene were collected over a five day period (7/17/77 to 7/21/77) near Great Lakes Chemical Corp in El Dorodo, Arkansas. Twenty-one samples from five different locations were collected. Results showed that the levels of bromobenzene ranged from 5.3 ng/l (period 1, cycle 1, location 1) to 4,276 ng/l (period 3, cycle 1, location 3)(1). Ambient air concns of bromobenzene were collected over a two year period (1976 to 1977) near Great Lakes Chemical Corp in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Ethyl bromide was qualitatively detected in ambient air samples collected in the vicinity of the organic bromine chemical manufacturing areas in El Dorado and Magnolia, AR in 1977(1).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 12,285 workers are potentially exposed to ethyl bromide in the USA(1). Occupational exposure to ethyl bromide may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where ethyl bromide is produced or used(2). Since ethyl bromide has been detected in ambient air near bromine-chemical manufacturing facilities(3), populations living near manufacturing facilities may be exposed through inhalation(SRC).
Allyl bromide was detected in ambient air surrounding Great Lakes Corp. El Dorado, AR at concentrations of 8.4, trace, 8, 2.5 and 24.8 (water tower) ng/cu meter September 20, 1976
In September of 1976, vinyl bromide was qualitatively identified in ambient air surrounding Great Lakes Corp in El Dorado, AR
Composite samples of human hair collected from barber shops in El Dorado and Magnolia, Arkansas contained 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromobisphenol A at concentrations of up to 2 to 5 ug/kg(1).
[(1) DeCarlo V; Ann NY Acad Sci 320: 678-81 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 224 workers are potentially exposed to 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromobisphenol A in the US(1). Occupational exposure to 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromobisphenol A may occur through inhalation of dusts and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromobisphenol A is produced or used(SRC). Monitoring data indicate that the general population may be exposed to 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromobisphenol A via inhalation of ambient air and dermal contact with this compound(SRC).
[(1) NIOSH; National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) (1983)]**PEER REVIEWED**
Twenty-four hour samples of ambient air on the plant property of two industrial bromine extraction and bromo-organic synthesis facilities had concentrations of decabromobiphenyl ether ranging from not detected to 72 ng/cu m and <13 to 25,000 ng/cu m for the two facilities(1). Detected in air particulate matter collected near the bromine industry in Magnolia and El Dorado, AK(2).
[(1) Zweidinger RA et al; ACS Symp Ser 94: 217-31 (1979) (2) DeCarlo VJ; Ann NY Acad Sci 320: 678-81 (1979)]**PEER REVIEWED**

A study of 48 composite samples from the FY87 NHATS contained decabromobiphenyl ether at concentrations of 5 to 20 pg/g (lipid basis) (38 of 48 samples contained undetectable concentrations of this compound)(1). Two samples contained 0.4 and 0.7 ppb of decabromobiphenyl ether in the lipid and one contained trace levels. Detected at concns up to 5 ppb in human hair in communities near the bromine industry in Magnolia and El Dorado, AK [(1) Stanley JS et al; Chemosphere 23: 1185-95 (1991) (2) DeCarlo VJ; Ann NY Acad Sci 320: 678-81 (1979) (3) IARC; IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans 48: 73-84 (1989) (4) Sjodin A et al; Environ Hlth Persp 107:643-48 (1999)]**PEER REVIEWED**

BROMOCHLORODIFLUOROMETHANE
CASRN: 353-59-3

Manufacturers :  

Great Lakes Chemical Corp, Hq, Hwy 52, North West, PO Box 2200, West Lafayette, IN 47906, (317) 497-6100; Production site: El Dorado, AR 71730

Environmental Fate/Exposure Summary :

Bromochlorodifluoromethane's production and use in fire extinguishers may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. However, the production of bromochlorodifluoromethane has to be stopped in accordance with the Montreal Protocol of 1987 as it plays an important role in the destruction of the earth's ozone layer. If released to air, a vapor pressure of 2.07X10+3 mm Hg at 25 deg C indicates bromochlorodifluoromethane will exist solely in the gas phase in the ambient atmosphere. Gas phase bromochlorodifluoromethane will slowly be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be greater than 44 years. Bromochlorodifluoromethane absorbs very little UV radiation above 290 nm and is not expected to photolyze at a significant rate in the ambient atmosphere. Since bromochlorodifluoromethane exists as a gas, it is expected to have very high mobility in soil. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 9.4X10-2 atm-cu m/mole. Bromochlorodifluoromethane will volatilize rapidly from dry soil surfaces since it exists as a gas in the ambient environment. If released into water, bromochlorodifluoromethane is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment based upon the estimated Koc. Volatilization from water surfaces is expected to be an important fate process based upon this compound's estimated Henry's Law constant. Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 1.3 hrs and 5.1 days, respectively. An estimated BCF of 5.8 suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low. Given its high degree of halogenation, it is not expected to be an important degradation pathway for bromochlorodifluoromethane. Occupational exposure to bromochlorodifluoromethane may occur through inhalation of this compound at workplaces where bromochlorodifluoromethane is produced or used. The general population may be exposed to bromochlorodifluoromethane via inhalation of ambient air and use of portable fire extinguisher products containing bromochlorodifluoromethane. Bromochlorodifluoromethane is widely detected in the atmosphere. 

Probable Routes of Human Exposure :

Occupational exposure to bromochlorodifluoromethane may occur through inhalation of this compound at workplaces where bromochlorodifluoromethane is produced or used(SRC). The general population may be exposed to bromochlorodifluoromethane via inhalation of ambient air(1,2) and use of fire extinguisher products(2) containing bromochlorodifluoromethane. However, the production of bromodichlorofluoromethane has to be stopped in accordance with the Montreal Protocol as it plays an important role in the destruction of the earth's ozone layer.

CHLOROTRIFLUOROMETHANE
CASRN: 75-72-9

Manufacturers :

Great Lakes Chemical Corp., One Great Lakes Blvd., P.O. Box 2200, West Lafayette, IN 47906, (317)497-6100; Production site: El Dorado, AR 71731-7020

Environmental Fate/Exposure Summary :

Chlorotrifluoromethane's production and use as a refrigerant or as an azeotrope with trifluoromethane for very low temperature applications may lead to its release to the environment through various waste streams. Based on a measured vapor pressure of 2.14X10+4 mm Hg at 25 deg C, chlorotrifluoromethane is expected to exist solely in the vapor-phase in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase chlorotrifluoromethane is extremely stable in the troposphere. The half-life for the reaction of this compound with photochemically produced hydroxyl radicals is about 63 years. This compound will gradually diffuse into the stratosphere above the ozone layer where it will slowly degrade due to direct photolysis from UV-C radiation and contribute to the catalytic removal of stratospheric ozone. The half-life for this reaction has been estimated to range from 180 to 450 years. Chlorotrifluoromethane is expected to have moderate mobility in soils based upon an estimated Koc value of 188. This compound is expected to volatilize rapidly from dry soil surfaces based on its vapor pressure. Volatilization from moist soil surfaces is expected based upon the Henry's Law constant of 1.38 atm-cu m/mole. Biodegradation is not expected to be an important environmental fate process. In water, chlorotrifluoromethane is not expected to adsorb to sediment or particulate matter given its estimated Koc value. This compound is expected to volatilize rapidly from water surfaces given its Henry's Law constant. Estimated volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 3 and 97 hours, respectively. Bioconcentration is expected to be low based upon an estimated BCF value of 10. Occupational exposure may be through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where chlorotrifluoromethane is produced or used. The general population is exposed to chlorotrifluoromethane through inhalation of ambient air. (SRC)

Probable Routes of Human Exposure :

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 1,204 workers (188 of these are female) are potentially exposed to chlorotrifluoromethane in the US(1). Occupational exposure may be through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where chlorotrifluoromethane is produced or used(SRC). The general population will be exposed to chlorotrifluoromethane via inhalation of ambient air(SRC).

Environmental Fate :

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), chlorotrifluoromethane, which has a measured vapor pressure of 2.14X10+4 mm Hg at 25 deg C(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase chlorotrifluoromethane is slowly degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be about 62 years(3,SRC). This compound will gradually diffuse into the stratosphere above the ozone layer where it will slowly degrade due to direct photolysis from UV-C radiation and contribute to the catalytic removal of stratospheric ozone(4,SRC). The half-life for this reaction has been estimated to range from 180 to 450 years.

1-Bromo-2-chloroethane was detected at a median and maximum concentration of 6.1 and 1,100 parts per trillion(1), respectively, in three source areas: Edison, NJ; El Dorado, AK; and Magnolia, AK (74 samples). 1-Bromo-2-chloroethane was not found in three routine EPA field ambient air monitoring samples(2).
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE
CASRN: 96-12-8
Atmospheric Concentrations :

Magnolia, AK: 1,688 to 6,653 ng/cu m, 7/77 to 8/77; El Dorado, AK: not detected to 1.87 ng/cu m(1). 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane was detected in 3 samples of source-dominated air at an average daily concentration of 0.001 ppbv

Source-dominated air samples contained 1-bromo-3-chloropropane at a median concentration of 2 parts/trillion(1). Air samples collected from a geographic area associated with the bromine industry in Arkansas contained 1-bromo-3-chloropropane at unreported concentrations(2). Ambient concentrations of 1-bromo-3-chloropropane in air surrounding the Ethyl Corporation, Magnolia, AK in July 1977 ranged from trace levels to 1,688 ng/cu m(3). Ambient concentrations of 1-bromo-3-chloropropane in air surrounding the Great Lakes Corporation and the Michigan Chemical Corporation in El Dorado, AK in July 1977 ranged from not detected to trace levels and trace to 63 ng/cu m, respectively.
In 1979, environmental samples (number unknown) were collected off site of bromine industry plants near El Dorado and Magnolia, Arkansas. Unreported concentrations of bromobenzene were identified in the soil and sediment.
RE:  Great Lakes Chemical Corporation
     Docket No. 96-003-NOV
                                
Gentlemen:
                                
     This is to advise you that a Stipultion and Settlement Agreement
in the above-referenced docket was filed with the Commission on
December 26, 1996.  Pursuant to Commission Regulation No. 8, Section
2.5.15, this appeal has been withdrawn and no further action is
required by the parties or the Administrative Hearing Officer in order
to close this file.  Therefore, this docket is officially closed. 
However, the docket may be reopened if the Commission initiates a
review of the settlement or if a petition to set aside the settlement
is granted by the Commission. Click for more 
James
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Who still makes tetraethyl lead (TEL)?  On July 16, 1997, the company's Board of Directors approved a plan to spin off its petroleum additives business, establishing a new independently traded public company (Octel). The company created by the spin-off will consist of the company's tetraethyl lead antiknock compounds business and its non-lead petroleum additives businesses." – Great Lakes Chemical Corporation, 10-Q Report, filed with the SEC on 14 November 1997 REF 
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/bromine/130497.pdf
On November 3, 1995, Great Lakes filed an application with the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission to establish a third brine production unit consisting of 24,000 hectares (60,000 acres).  Under Arkansas law, the company can form a unit if it owns 75% of the mining rights to the brine. The unitization of the brine field was upheld by the U.S. District Court in 1997.

In July Great Lakes announced a plan to spin off its petroleum additives business.  The independent company created by the spinoff will consist of Octel Associates and Octel America.  Octel is the largest producer worldwide of tetraethyl lead antiknock compounds, which use bromine as a "scavenger."  In July......

Who still makes tetraethyl lead ?
Lead pollution. Optional: Who still makes tetraethyl lead (TEL)? Great Lakes Chemical Corporation. From Great Lakes Chemical Corporation's ...
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/courses/geog100/Lead-GtLakesChem.htm
More Results From: www.uwsp.edu
http://www.corpwatch.org/issues/PID.jsp?articleid=904
As leaded gasoline began to be phased out and then banned in many countries, Great Lakes developed international markets for its deadly product. Indeed, today, the only remaining private sector corporation producing and marketing TEL is Great Lakes' subsidiary, Associated Octel.[6] In fact, financial analysts estimate that in 1995, TEL accounted for nearly half of all Great Lakes' profits.[7]

With leaded gasoline on its way out in the U.S. in the 1960s, Great Lakes decided to use EDB domestically as a pesticide. Indeed, EDB became Great Lakes' main U.S. product in the 1960s and 1970s.[9] While EDB was used in grain storage silos and applied directly to crops, concerns grew about its toxic impacts. In 1983, the US Environmental Protection Agency banned EDB as a pesticide, finding that it posed an unacceptable cancer risk. As cake mixes, breads and cereals containing EDB residues were recalled from supermarkets, Emerson Kampen, Great Lakes President at the time, blamed the press. "It was the media that created the problem" he told reporters, "a great product has been taken off the market."[10]

The Pathfinders Camp was established in 1956.  Great Lakes Chemical Corporation purchased some land next to the camp in 1965.  There were approximately 800 Pathfinders exposed to toxic chemicals released from the Great Lakes Chemical Plant between 1965 and 1988.

My father lived at the camp at least 3/4 of each year between 1986 and 1995.  When I took him to the camp the last time in 1995, he was so beat up  by these toxic chemicals that he could no longer take care of him self.   The last five years of my father's life, between 1995 and 2000, were full of suffering from the effects of these toxic chemicals.   If only my father had known what the Great Lakes Chemical Plant was putting on the Pathfinders Camp....

Great Lakes Chemical Corporation and the Pathfinders Camp