Extensive cleanup of lead-contaminated soil in 84 residential yards in Logansport near the former Exide Battery Corp. completed

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also known as EPA, recently announced they completed an extensive cleanup of lead-contaminated soil from 84 residential yards in Logansport near the former Exide Battery Corp. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management referred the site to EPA on August 31, 2021, after discovering high levels of lead in yards surrounding the former facility. 

Exide Battery operated as a lead-acid battery manufacturing facility for the automotive industry from about 1960 to 1989 at 303 Water St in Logansport, before shutting down completely in 2009. The former factory was demolished in 2016.

IDEM soon conducted an investigative survey of the soil from surrounding areas around the facility, finding lead soil concentrations as high as 692 parts per million, well above levels required for residential cleanup. A series of assessments were done between 2021 and 2023 to determine the nature and extent of the contamination. 

After IDEM referred the site to EPA, the agency began collecting its own soil samples from nearby residential properties that confirmed elevated levels of lead. By the request of IDEM, and in consultation with the city of Logansport, EPA began removing lead-contaminated soil in the fall of 2023. In 2024, EPA expanded its cleanup efforts to address additional properties with elevated lead levels. EPA completed the work in the fall of 2025. 

For the past two years, soil has been excavated from 84 residential properties near the former facility, transporting 16,664 tons of lead-contaminated soil to an EPA-approved facility for proper disposal. EPA also conducted air monitoring and dust control measures to ensure human health protection throughout the cleanup. All properties where lead was detected above cleanup levels were addressed and determined no further action was necessary. 

Further information is available online at the Exide Corporation Site removal website.