Chillicothe's Enduring Environmental Crisis
For decades, the former Wear Ever Aluminum facility has leached toxic chemicals into the ground, creating a silent, slow-moving disaster. Now, a new threat looms: the closure of the nearby Pixelle paper mill, which will shut down the wells that have been holding the toxic plume in check. This is the story of a community at a critical crossroads, facing the consequences of its industrial past and an uncertain environmental future.
The Toxic Plume
A toxic plume is an underground area of contaminated groundwater. At the Wear Ever site, decades of industrial solvent use created a plume saturated with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are highly dangerous to human health. This section visualizes the alarming levels of these chemicals and their potential path if left unchecked.
Contamination vs. Safety Limits
This chart compares recent measurements of key contaminants in the plume to the U.S. EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), the legal limit for drinking water. Hover over bars for details.
Visualizing the Threat: Plume Migration
The Pixelle mill's wells created a hydraulic barrier, pulling the groundwater and the plume towards them. With the wells shutting down, this containment is lost. Use the toggle below to see the predicted change in the plume's path.
Diagram is a simplified representation of relative positions and plume dynamics.
The Human Cost
The true toll of the Wear Ever contamination is measured in the lives of former workers and their families. Many have suffered from debilitating illnesses linked directly to exposure to the toxic chemicals used at the plant. This section highlights the primary health risks and honors the community advocates fighting for justice.
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
A known carcinogen linked to various cancers, neurological disorders, and liver damage. Found at 610 µg/L (122x MCL).
Vinyl Chloride
A known carcinogen with a high cancer risk, posing a threat years after exposure. Found at 230 J µg/L (115x MCL).
Benzene
A carcinogen linked to rare lymphomas and other cancers. Associated with Mike H.'s case.
Lead
A toxic metal associated with neurological disorders, cancers, and respiratory illnesses. Max 71,900 ppm in soil.
Cadmium
A toxic metal linked to various cancers and respiratory illnesses.
cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE)
Found at 2,800 µg/L (40x MCL). Part of the degradation chain of TCE.
A Community's Voice: Wear-Ever Exposed
In the face of slow official action, the advocacy group "Wear-Ever Exposed" has become a powerful voice for the affected. By meticulously documenting health cases—like Barbara W.'s multiple myeloma or Mike H.'s rare lymphoma—they have kept the human tragedy at the forefront and continue to pressure regulators and the responsible company, Howmet Aerospace, for accountability and a real cleanup.
The Ticking Clock
The long-term remediation plan for the Wear Ever site had a fatal flaw: it relied on the continuous operation of another company's wells. The impending closure of the Pixelle paper mill on August 10, 2025, turns this flaw into an immediate crisis, removing the only barrier preventing the toxic plume from migrating toward residential areas and critical city infrastructure.
August 10, 2025
Date of Pixelle Plant Closure & Cessation of Plume Control
Loss of Hydraulic Control
Historical data from 2020-2021 proved that when Pixelle reduced pumping, the groundwater flow shifted, and the plume began moving southeast. The permanent shutdown of the wells (PW-17 and PW-18) will trigger a more severe and uncontrolled migration of the toxic chemicals. The objective of the groundwater monitoring program for the Former Wear Ever Facility is to "Confirm that hydrodynamic control of the existing off-Site VOC groundwater plume is maintained by the Pixelle Collector Wells 17 and 18".
Threat to Critical Infrastructure
The uncontrolled plume is predicted to move directly towards the Chillicothe Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), located merely a few hundred yards from the plume's documented boundary. Contamination of this facility, currently undergoing a $60 million upgrade, would be a catastrophic blow to the city's public health and sanitation systems, creating a new, widespread crisis.
A Legacy of Contamination
The environmental crisis at the Wear Ever site didn't happen overnight. It is the result of over four decades of industrial activity, changing ownership, and evolving waste practices. This timeline traces the key moments from the plant's opening to the present day. Click on any date to learn more.
Charting a Path Forward
The closure of the Pixelle plant exposes the failures of the past and demands decisive action for the future. Decades of regulatory oversight have not solved the problem, with the Ohio EPA still criticizing the responsible party, Howmet Aerospace, for flawed data and insufficient cleanup. A sustainable, independent solution is now more critical than ever.
1 Immediate Contingency Plan
The immediate priority is to implement a "contingent remedy" to replace the hydraulic control lost from the Pixelle wells. Howmet Aerospace must install and operate a new system to ensure the plume remains contained *before* it begins to migrate. The Ohio EPA previously requested an assessment for a "contingent remedy" specifically for "various altered pumping scenarios," including "permanent cessation of all Pixelle pumping".
2 A Robust, Independent Cleanup
A long-term solution cannot be dependent on another company's operations. A new, comprehensive remediation plan is needed. This requires an honest re-evaluation of the site based on accurate data, not flawed models, and the installation of better monitoring wells to track progress. The EPA has noted that Trichloroethylene (TCE) concentrations in groundwater monitoring wells remain as high as 400 micrograms per liter (µg/L) and has demanded that Howmet install additional sentinel wells.
3 Community Trust and Transparency
Building trust requires open communication and accountability. Regulators and Howmet Aerospace must engage transparently with the community and advocacy groups like "Wear-Ever Exposed." The health and safety of Chillicothe's residents must be the unwavering priority. The sustained activity of "Wear-Ever Exposed" signifies a critical community response to perceived environmental injustice and their meticulous documentation of health conditions serves as vital anecdotal evidence.