SOUTH BAY : EPA Asks Shell to Probe Black Ooze at Waste Site

After the discovery of an oozing substance at a toxic waste site near Torrance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued an order requesting that Shell Oil Co. investigate the problem and take steps to prevent it from happening again.

EPA issued the administrative order Friday, three days after a black, tar-like material was found oozing from waste pits once used by a former synthetic rubber factory. The so-called Del Amo Pits, between Normandie and Vermont avenues in Los Angeles, are at the southern end of 280 acres that are a proposed federal Superfund site.

Shell, which is among the former operators of the factory, is cooperating with the EPA in studying the problem, said company spokeswoman Tomi Van de Brooke. She said Shell began continuous air monitoring at the pits Tuesday evening that has revealed “no unusual emissions.”

Workers have covered the black ooze with 18 inches of topsoil and the EPA is awaiting test results to identify the material. In its order, the agency asks Shell to thoroughly inspect the waste pit area.