US spent $33.1 million relocating town after dioxin contamination
The residents of Times Beach faced a critical situation when dioxin contamination was discovered, leading to their permanent relocation. Originally, this toxic substance was used on dirt roads for dust control during the 1970s. A devastating flood in 1982 heightened the community's concerns about contamination. To address the issue, an incinerator was constructed to manage over 265,000 tons of…
In the 1970s, the small town of Times Beach in Missouri tried to combat dust on its unpaved roads by spreading residual oil. However, this solution proved to be a disastrous mistake as some of the oil contained dioxin, a highly toxic substance. In 1982, a flood of the Meramec River exacerbated the situation, leading to the permanent relocation of the town's population.
The relocation, costing US$33.1 million, was announced by the EPA, FEMA, and the state of Missouri in February 1983 after extensive soil samples revealed contamination levels that posed a continuing threat to health. The cleanup process involved treating over 265,354 tons of dioxin-contaminated materials from 27 sites in eastern Missouri at a temporary incinerator in Times Beach, which operated from 1996 to 1997.
The land was later transformed into Route 66 State Park in 1999, commemorating the historic Route 66 that passes through the region.
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