Toxic Goo Leaks Near Durham School

Toxic chemicals, including acetone, ethanol, and 1,4-dioxane, have been detected at high levels in the groundwater and a creek downstream of Brenntag's Durham facility. These discharges have been occurring for decades, impacting a creek that flows through a public park and near an elementary school. The North Carolina attorney general has filed a lawsuit against Brenntag Mid-South, alleging violations of the state's water quality laws and demanding a cleanup plan within 30 days.

State regulators have repeatedly cited Brenntag for water quality and reporting violations over the past year, with the company failing to submit required documentation and missing deadlines. Testing data from April showed acetone levels nearly ten times the state surface water standard, and ethanol concentrations significantly exceeding limits. The chemical 1,4-dioxane, identified as a potential carcinogen, also consistently surpassed health advisory goals.

The contamination problem at the site, a former cotton mill, has persisted since at least the mid-1990s. Despite a no-discharge order issued in 2023, Brenntag has faced ongoing issues, including leaking barrels and a "mucilaginous goo" found in the creek. The city has fined Brenntag $157,000 for various violations since 2023, but the penalties remain uncollected as the company has not rectified the problem. Concerns are high for the local community, particularly children who may access the creek.