Cleveland: Harshaw Chemical

Hey Everyone,

Ever since I took an Environmental Law class in law school I've been unbelievably interested in Harshaw Chemical Plant (1000 Harvard Ave Cleveland - visible from 176 North). Most notably, the extreme environmental impact the site STILL has on the area and also, its checkered past in how it dealt with its employees during the Manhattan Project. I am starting this thread, in part, to see if anyone else has information on the topic and also to spread awareness of a site that still has a significant radioactive footprint right near the river, towpath, and residential areas.

Here are some facts about the plant:

- It was owned by the Harshaw Chemical Company, a mainstay in Cleveland for over 100 years.

- From WWII until the mid-1950s, it was one of the most crucial sites for the Manhattan Project, as uranium chemicals were developed there and then sent by rail to Tennessee for the next step in the enrichment process. The end product, as most people know, ended up in New Mexico.

- between 1942 and 1953, Harshaw released approximately 4,000 pounds of radioactive uranium-fluoride particles annually; making it a "major contributor" to pollution in Cleveland.

- Investigators discovered that the 40 acre site had high concentrations of hydrofluoric acid and the site was added to a list already under study by the Department of Energy's Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program in 1999.

- Radiation detectors can easily pick up high levels of radiation from parts of the towpath and, on days when there is a strong wind, these numbers can become dangerously high.

- The actual structure was torn down in 2016.

Here are some unverified rumors and stories that I have gathered over the last 18 months about the plant:

- There was a significant mortality rate among the employees at the plant, especially in the areas that dealt specifically with uranium.

- Most of the employees that dealt with the uranium were immigrants and African Americans.

- Former employees have told people that death usually came as a result of skin being melted off of the employees body.

- During heavy rainfall, the chemical discharge would flow along the railroad tracks abutting the plant until it found its way into the river.

Again, I do not raise this point to be morbid or as some conspiracy theorist, but I think its important to raise awareness about sites like this. If anyone else has any information to add or facts that disprove any of the unverified bullet points in the second list, I would love to know about them! Any and all thoughts, comments are welcome.