Frequently Asked Questions

What is Whirlpool doing about the situation?

Under the supervision of the U.S. EPA, an environmental site assessment was conducted at the former Whirlpool Park in 2013. This sampling confirmed that there is no health risk and that the site was used as a recreational park and not as a dump by Whirlpool. A summary of the report detailing the testing is available here, a graphic showing the location of the samples that were taken and the results is available here, and the full report and data submitted to the EPA is available here.

Using the site assessment as a scientific basis, Whirlpool will now work with the U.S. EPA, the Ohio EPA and the property owner on the development and implementation of next steps.

What was the contaminant the EPA discovered?

A 2012 U.S. EPA investigation discovered the presence of limited and contained amounts of a contaminant called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Where did the contaminant in the former Whirlpool Park come from?

The sampling did not identify the source of the PCBs. No matter where the PCBs came from, they ended up on property previously owned by Whirlpool, so the company is taking appropriate and responsible steps in this matter.

Neither Whirlpool nor the current property owners were aware of the PCBs until we were informed by the U.S. EPA.

What were the results of the sampling at the former Whirlpool Park?

Testing conducted at the former Whirlpool Park in 2013 confirmed that there is no health risk and that the site was used as a recreational park and not as a dump by Whirlpool.

328 sub-surface soil samples were taken and tested for 232 chemical compounds. The site assessment found that:

• No PCBs or other man-made chemicals were found in groundwater samples.
  The low levels of PCBs and metals found at this site were at concentrations that pose no health risk and are not surprising for fill dirt used in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Samples containing PCBs above U.S. EPA residential standards were found only in limited areas comprised of fill material near the basketball court and former grist mill, which is consistent with the prior sampling by the U.S. EPA in the area of the basketball court.
• Only 23 samples of the 248 taken from the former “East Ravine” area exhibited concentrations of PCBs above the EPA residential level of one part per million.
• PCBs above the EPA residential standard are present only in fill material in a limited area within the east half of the property.

No PCBs were found in the pool filters or in the samples taken from the soil around the former pool area. Soil testing below the former pool area floor, which is inaccessible to people and was first sealed in 1956, found one result that would indicate PCBs at levels below the U.S. EPA residential screening level, which means the amount detected is less than what is considered safe to live around full-time for 70 years.

How was the environmental site assessment conducted?

All sampling and testing was conducted in accordance with the Phase II Work Plan approved in April 2013 by the U.S. EPA and the OEPA. The Work Plan was developed based on information obtained during the Phase I assessment.

Pursuant to the Work Plan, the samples were tested by an independent laboratory. Additionally, contractors for the U.S. EPA and the current property owner observed the sampling and, in some cases, split the samples or took their own samples for testing.

Why didn’t Whirlpool clean up the park before opening it to the public?

We were not aware of any contaminants on the site when we purchased the park property in 1953 and we did not know that dirt used to improve the property in the 1950s may have contained contaminants. Whirlpool was not aware of the contaminants until we were informed by the U.S. EPA in July 2012.

How can I make sure contaminants from the former Whirlpool Park will not enter my body?

The sampling completed in 2013 found no health risk. The contaminant found on the site is very stable and tends not to migrate with water. This is supported by the results of testing performed by U.S. EPA on a neighbor’s well, which found no traces of the contaminant. As the contaminant is not likely to migrate from the property, and the property is secured with fencing, there are no current exposure pathways and no health risk.

When did Whirlpool Corporation buy the property for the former Whirlpool Park?

Whirlpool bought the property in 1953.

Does Whirlpool still own the property?

No. Whirlpool sold the property to a private owner in 2008 due to declining use.

How many employees does Whirlpool have in Clyde?

We have over 3,000 people going to work with us every day in Clyde.

How long has Whirlpool been in Clyde, Ohio?

Whirlpool and our people have been part of the fabric of the Clyde community for over 60 years.