The US EPA is considering the use of advanced oxidation processes to remove a DDT derivative found in St. Louis wells. The para-chlorobenzene sulfonic acid, or pCBSA, that was discovered three years ago can be treated. the compound is highly mobile in water and resistant to natural degradation.
CH2M Hill, a national environmental engineering firm working for the US EPA, believes one option for treating the water is advanced oxidation. The technology would be designed to help cleanup the plant site but only in combination with other remediation methods because there are so many different types of toxic chemicals on the 52-acre parcel. The EPA is conducting a feasibility study that will determine what cleanup methods and is due to be released in September.