rs the smelter closed.
May 1984: The city attorney asks the city’s Board of Adjustment to order the smelter to remain closed under the zoning code. Since 1974, smelters had been required to obtain a special permit, and RSR had never applied for one.
September. 6, 1984: Murmur’s attorneys argue that the company should be given several years to recoup its investment in the plant, including $412,000 in new pollution controls. But the board orders the smelter permanently closed.
1984-1985: Contaminated soil is removed from residential areas within a half-mile of the smelter.
1991: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowers the blood lead level of concern to 10.
July 1991: A resident’s complaint about contamination from battery chips and slag in residential areas is forwarded to the EPA.
October 1991: The EPA issues an action memorandum to address the contamination.
1992-1994: Cleanup of contaminated soil occurs at schools, parks and residences.
May 1995: The EPA says no further action is needed in residential areas.
August 1995: A $16.1 million settlement is reached in several lawsuits filed against RSR on behalf of children injured by lead contamination.
September. 29, 1995: West Dallas is finalized on the National Priorities List of Superfund sites.
1996-1997: The EPA signs records of decision for cleanup on smelter properties and landfill areas in West Dallas.
2001: The 300-foot-tall smelter smokestack is taken down.
Exide’s smelter in Frisco
April 25, 1964: Ground is broken for the Gould National Batteries oxide plant, which opens later that year.
1969: The plant begins recycling batteries.
November 1991: The area around the plant is declared to be in nonattainment because its lead emissions exceed the 1978 federal air-quality standard.
2000: Exide Technologies acquires the plant.
October. 3, 2008: Exide files an application with the state to increase production.
November 2008: The EPA says it will tighten the federal air-quality standard for lead to 0.15 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air to prevent irreversible damage to health.
October. 23, 2009: Exide withdraws its application to increase production.
November 2010: Exide offers free blood testing for lead to residents.
Nov. 16, 2010: EPA officially designates an area around the plant as being in nonattainment for lead.
February 2011: The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality finds two permit violations related to the stricter air-quality standard.
March 24-27, 2011: The Texas Department of State Health Services offers blood tests for lead to residents.
April 27, 2011: Exide announces it will make $20 million in improvements to the plant to reduce emissions.
May 2011: An EPA report on inspections at the plant details multiple violations.
August 2011: Residents’ group Frisco Unleaded forms with a goal of closing Exide.
August 2011: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cites the plant for violations.
September 2011: TCEQ issues a notice of enforcement for multiple violations.
Jan. 17, 2012: The City Council votes to have the Board of Adjustment hold hearings to consider amortization, a legal process to remove undesirable businesses.
May 31, 2012: An agreement is announced for Frisco to buy land from Exide and for Exide to cease operations by year-end.
July 2012: The environmental groups Downwinders at Risk and Frisco Unleaded file notice of intent to sue Exide over past and continuing violations at the plant.
Nov. 30, 2012: Exide ceases operations in Frisco.
Dec. 3, 2012: Decontamination and demolition of Frisco plant begins.