Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Berkley Products Company Incorporated in Akron, Pennsylvania

On this page:


    Cleanup Status

    A pilot study of chemical oxidation to remediate contaminated groundwater beneath the facility was completed at the end of 2014. The study recommended full-scale implementation of chemical oxidation of groundwater beneath the facility, with some suggested modifications and enhancements to increase chemical oxidant distribution and efficiency in remediating contaminated groundwater. Full-scale implementation is expected to begin by the end of this year.

    Environmental investigations at the facility began in 1989 in response to specific spills. By the early 2000s, two site-wide investigations were performed that included the installation of additional monitoring wells and the sampling and analysis of groundwater and soil gas. Based on the results from these investigations and a Health Consultation performed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in 2006, vapor mitigation systems were installed in residences that could potentially be impacted by vapors emanating from contaminated groundwater that had migrated offsite beneath the homes. In 2009 a Comprehensive Site Characterization was performed that provided remedial recommendations for the facility. Through an analysis of remedial alternatives which included stakeholder input, a remedy was chosen that includes removal of contaminated soil in several potential source areas, which was completed in 2013, and treatment of groundwater contamination via chemical oxidation on-site and bioaugmentation/bioremediation off-site.

    Top of Page


    Site Description

    Interactive map of Berkley Products Company Incorporated, Akron, PA

    View larger map

    The Berkley Products Inc. facility is located on 405 S. 7th Street in Akron, West Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Residential properties lie east and west of the facility, while residential and commercial properties lie north and south. The facility began producing custom-manufactured coatings products in 1955.  In 1974, the facility started to reclaim wash solvents generated onsite and later expanded to recovery of spent solvents from offsite customers.  The recovery of solvents for offsite customers reportedly ceased in 1990. Waste solvents generated at the facility at this time are those primarily found in conventional paint products and include non-chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene, xylene, and methyl isobutyl ketone. These wastes are stored onsite for less than 90 days before being transported offsite or recycled onsite.

    Top of Page


    Contaminants at this Facility

    Primary contaminants at the facility include chlorinated VOCs, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and total trimethylbenzenes.  Groundwater, indoor air, and subsurface soil are the media that have been contaminated; however, exposures to these media have either been mitigated or shown not to be of concern.

    Top of Page


    Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

      As part of the final remedy, institutional controls prohibiting groundwater use and limiting land use to non-residential purposes will likely be required.

      Top of Page


      Land Reuse Information at this Facility

       Berkley Products continues to use the facility to produce custom-manufactured coatings.

      Top of Page


      Site Responsibility at this Facility

      Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3.

      Top of Page