Rockets, Fireworks, and Flares

2008- present

34° 6′ 22.0212” N

117° 22′ 19.5348” W

160-acre industrial area in Rialto, California

The “Rockets, Fireworks, and Flares” (RFF) site includes a 160-acre industrial area in Rialto, California where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and perchlorate have contaminated soil and groundwater. The site, formerly known as the B.F. Goodrich site, also includes a six-mile long area of groundwater contamination downgradient of the 160-acre area. Site investigations and cleanup are ongoing.

In 1942, the U.S. Army used a portion of the site to store ammunition and weapons. After World War II, the 160-acre area was sold and used by defense contractors, fireworks manufacturers, and other businesses. The firms included West Coast Loading Corporation, B.F. Goodrich Corporation, Pyrotronics, Pyro Spectaculars, and American Promotional Events. These companies handled perchlorate salts and other hazardous chemicals and disposed of chemical wastes on site, contaminating the groundwater supply.

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board led initial efforts to respond to the contamination. EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in September 2009. The Goodrich Corporation, Emhart Industries (a corporate successor to West Coast Loading Corporation), Pyro Spectaculars, American Promotional Events, and others have entered into agreements with EPA to pay for cleanup work at the site.

History of Area:

Rialto Ammunition Storage 1942-45

Pyrotechnic storage/ Flare Manufacturing 1950s

BF Goodrich Rocket Manufacturing 1950s-60s

Fireworks Manufacturing and Storage-1060s-present

Toxins present:

Perchlorate

TCE

PCE

Chloroform