Feds Reach $7M Deal For Whittier Toxic Cleanup

WHITTIER (AP) — Federal regulators say they've reached a $7-million agreement with companies to clean up a toxic Superfund site in the east Los Angeles suburb of Whittier.

The EPA and Justice Department announced Friday that 169 parties who used the Omega Chemical Corp. site have agreed to clean up contaminated soil or help cover the work costs.

Between 1976 and 1991, the site was used to recycle and treat hazardous chemicals. Its soil and groundwater are tainted with Freon, trichloroethylene and other solvents and refrigerants.

The settlement was approved last month in Los Angeles federal court. Along with previous settlements, companies have now agreed to $24 million worth of cleanup activities and to reimburse the EPA more than $14 million.

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