A Maryland PIRG report found that industrial facilities across Maryland released at least 94,000 pounds of toxic chemicals into state waterways during 2020, contributing to ongoing concerns about environmental contamination and public health risks.
W.R. Grace
One of the biggest polluters in Curtis bay.
Located in the industrial corridor of Curtis Bay, Grace Chemicals has historically been a significant source of chemical emissions and environmental stress in the region.
The Context
The facility was established during the mid-20th century boom in industrial manufacturing. Unlike the Coast Guard Yard, which was a federal military site, Grace Chemicals operated as a private industrial entity. For decades, the site has been subject to oversight by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While not always designated as a full “Superfund” site like the Coast Guard Yard, the facility has faced scrutiny under the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for its handling of hazardous materials.
The W.R. Grace FUSRAP site in Curtis Bay, Maryland has a long history of radioactive contamination tied to Cold War-era industrial activity. Between 1956 and 1957, a predecessor company processed monazite sand under contract with the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to extract thorium, leaving behind radioactive contamination in Building 23 and surrounding disposal areas.
Impact Summary
79K
lb of chemicals
75
Gallons of Nitric Acid
spilled from a vacuum truck owned by W.R. Grace Chemical; despite complaints from residents about foul odors, coal dust, and other toxins, MDE has failed to investigate the incident.
13+
Active Contaminants
released into the surrounding environment. Detected air pollutants include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes (BTEX compounds), formaldehyde, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
Remediation and compliance have been ongoing struggles. After years of operation, the EPA and state regulators have frequently intervened to mandate upgrades to pollution control technology.
A Toxic Legacy
While some older containment structures have been replaced, there remain concerns about legacy contamination in the soil and groundwater surrounding the plant perimeter, similar to the “unspecified number of sites” the Coast Guard investigates internally.
New Concerns
In recent years, heavy industrial activity and weather events have raised concerns about containment integrity. Early results from air monitoring stations near the facility have shown spikes in particulate matter and VOCs.
At the time, local waterways were occasionally flagged for advisories. However, neighboring communities have frequently reported delays in receiving information about potential risks of exposure during these spike events.
Bankruptcy
65K
Civil class lawsuits from Troy and Libby, MT forced the company into chapter 11.
2001
2001
The lawsuit had over 129,000 claimants of asbestos-related contamination
Air Emissions
Pollution Burden
In Culture
Inspiring the movie “A Civil Action”
The residents of Woburn, Massachusetts sued Beatrice Foods, the operator of a tannery; Cryovac, a subsidiary of W. R. Grace and Company; and UniFirst, a laundry service, for dumping chemicals that contaminated nearby groundwater. The occurrence of a cancer cluster and other negative effects on health led to revelations of water polluted primarily with trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene.
Soil & Groundwater Contamination
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Chromium
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Petroleum Hydrocarbons
CSX
W.R
79K lbs of chemicals dumped
Community Resistance Groups
1
Community groups, such as the South Baltimore Community Land Trust and the “Free Your Voice” campaign, have activated residents to fight against the expansion of chemical and coal facilities.
2
Residents are acutely aware of how close and how toxic the site is. The community resistance is driven by the fact that South Baltimore suffers from some of the highest asthma hospitalization rates in the state.