A Canfield company published data last week claiming that local waterways and residential soil meet safety standards following a 2024 chemical spill. Material Sciences Corp. is working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to monitor and clean up the area around its facility at 460 West Main St.

A new biological report focused on Sawmill Creek suggests the environment is recovering. During the summer of 2025, experts tested the creek’s physical habitat and the health of its fish and insect populations. The study found that the creek’s biological health ranges from fair to excellent. These results show that the habitat has improved since the state last studied the area in 2013. The current fish and wildlife levels match the water quality standards set by the state of Ohio.

In addition to testing the creek, the company checked the soil at homes located along the water. Workers looked for specific chemicals, including cyanide and zinc. The test results showed that chemical levels in these residential yards are below the 2025 safety limits set by the federal government, according to the update. This would mean that the soil is considered safe for residential use under current environmental rules.

The company is currently following a plan to investigate the facility and the surrounding land. The process includes testing the soil, groundwater, and air trapped beneath the ground. The testing helps experts understand where contamination remains and how to fix it. So far, the company has finished the first parts of this investigation and is sharing the data with state officials.

Clean-up efforts have been ongoing since the spill was first reported in July 2024. One major project involved placing a liner in a ditch next to the facility. The liner acts as a barrier to keep rainwater from touching contaminated soil. Water that flows over the top of the liner is now clean enough to enter Sawmill Creek naturally, according to the company. Any polluted water trapped under the liner is collected and hauled away for disposal.

The company originally planned to build a fence along the creek near Canfield High School. However, officials decided to use caution signs instead. The signs warn people to avoid drinking the water or using the creek for fun. The signs will stay in place until the state confirms they are no longer needed.

The company is also monitoring groundwater near the Mill Creek MetroParks Bikeway. Last November, workers installed two new wells to track how water moves underground near the high school. The information is necessary to finish a final report for the state.

The entire investigation is expected to take several more months. Material Sciences Corp. plans to submit its final report to Ohio EPA this summer. This report will include all testing results and a plan for the next steps in the cleanup process. State officials must review and approve the document before the final stage of the project can begin.

Company officials said they will continue to meet with the state regularly to ensure the cleanup stays on track. Residents can register for digital updates to stay informed about future testing or trail closures in the area.