Overview
The Parsons Paper Mill Superfund Site in Holyoke, Massachusetts, is a former pulp and paper facility now under EPA oversight. It represents the industrial legacy of the region's paper sector.
The Parsons Paper Mill Superfund Site is located at 84 Sargeant St in Holyoke, Massachusetts, within Hampden County. This former pulp and paper facility is classified under NAICS codes 322110 (Pulp Mills) and 326130 (Laminates, Plastics Plate, Sheet, and Profile Manufacturing). The site is currently operational under the Superfund program, reflecting its historical environmental impact and ongoing remediation efforts. As a Superfund site, the facility operates under the regulatory framework of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The pulp and paper sector is known for high water usage and potential releases of pollutants such as dioxins and chlorinated compounds. The site's status indicates past contamination that requires long-term management and monitoring. The Parsons Paper Mill Superfund Site is significant as part of Holyoke's industrial history, once a hub for paper manufacturing along the Connecticut River. Its remediation and continued operation highlight the balance between industrial activity and environmental stewardship in Massachusetts. The site's proximity to residential areas underscores the importance of community protection measures.
Environmental context
Holyoke, Massachusetts, is located along the Connecticut River, which historically supported a thriving paper industry. The pulp and paper sector is associated with high water consumption and potential releases of organic pollutants, chlorinated compounds, and heavy metals. The Superfund designation indicates that past operations have led to soil and groundwater contamination requiring active remediation. The site's location in a mixed industrial-residential area necessitates careful monitoring to protect public health and the environment.
Frequently asked questions
The Parsons Paper Mill Superfund Site is located at 84 Sargeant St in Holyoke, Massachusetts, within Hampden County.
It is a former pulp and paper mill, classified under NAICS codes 322110 (Pulp Mills) and 326130 (Laminates, Plastics Plate, Sheet, and Profile Manufacturing).
The site is listed as a Superfund site under the US EPA, meaning it is subject to CERCLA regulations for cleanup and long-term remediation.
Pulp and paper facilities in the US must comply with EPA regulations including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, and TRI Section 313 reporting. Superfund sites additionally follow CERCLA requirements.
Common concerns include high water usage, discharge of organic pollutants and chlorinated compounds, air emissions of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds, and generation of solid waste such as sludge.
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