National Fireworks
Forge Pond Industrial Park Hanover/Hanson, Massachusetts
The National Fireworks site (the site) is in Forge Industrial Park in Hanover, MA. From 1907-1970 the site was used for research, development, manufacturing and testing of munitions and pyrotechnics for the U.S. government, as well as commercial manufacturing of civilian fireworks and other non-munitions related manufacturing. Mercury, lead, organic solvents, propellants and explosives were used in the manufacturing operations and have contaminated the site. Mercury has been detected in sediment, soil, groundwater and fish tissue. Lead, other heavy metals and volatile organic compounds have been detected in soil, groundwater and sediment. Munitions and explosives have been found in the soil and in Factory Pond.
In December 2025, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and our contractors completed sampling for the Expanded Site Inspection to collect data needed for the Hazard Ranking System Package. These documents will be posted here once finalized. At the end of December 2025, all planned work funded by the Tronox Trust was completed with oversight by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). The Site was secured with access restrictions to the Site and to Factory Pond. There is 24/7 surveillance of the Site by the Hanover Police and Fire Departments, with periodic inspections from MassDEP.
Public Meeting Information
The EPA with MassDEP held two public meetings in 2024 to update the community on current site status, the potential for the site to be listed on EPA's National Priorities List and what this listing means for the site. The meetings were recorded and the links can be found below.
Hanson, MA
EPA and MassDEP held a hybrid meeting at Hanson Middle School on January 18th, 2024. A recording of the meeting can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Pbxwt6SqM
Hanover, MA
EPA and MassDEP held a hybrid meeting at Hanover High School on January 11th, 2024. A recording of the meeting can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNEDf6jdNFk
Publicly Available Documents
Additional Information
- Superfund Site Assessment Process
- Superfund Landowner Liability Protections
- Superfund Community Involvement
Contact Information
EPA
ZaNetta Purnell
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Community Involvement Coordinator
617-918-1306
purnell.zanetta@epa.gov
Mandy Liao
NPL Coordinator
617-918-1036
liao.mandy@epa.gov