Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Federal-Mogul Corporation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

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Cleanup Status

Several investigations have been conducted at Fed-Mogul: Facility Cleanup Report (1999), Site Characterization Report (2000), and investigations to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Act 2 requirements (2000 to 2004). The most recent on-site investigation was completed at EPA's request in December 2011 to assess the vapor intrusion pathway inside the east building. In addition, non-site related environmental investigations have historically been conducted both upgradient and downgradient of the facility.

Federal-Mogul received a Current Human Exposures Under Control Environmental Indicator (EI) determination on January 25, 2012 and a Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Under Control EI determination on February 2, 2012. EPA issued a corrective action remedy complete with controls for the site in June 8, 2012. The controls enforced via environmental covenant (deed restriction)  allows for only non-residential use of the property and prohibits the use of groundwater for any drinking or agricultural purpose.

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Site Description

Interactive Map of Federal-Mogul Corporation, Lancaster, Pennsylvania


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Federal-Mogul Corporation operated a ball-bearing manufacturing facility on Garfield Avenue (between Race Street and N. West End Avenue), in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from the mid-1950s through the mid-1990s. The Facility contains two separate single-story structures which accommodated approximately 80,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 3,000 square feet of office space separated by three open courtyards. Manufacturing processes at the facility included machining, press work, heat treating, and grinding. The Facility is located in a light industrial, commercial, and residential use zone.

Federal-Mogul, Garfield Business Center LP (owner of the property immediately after Fed-Mogul), and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) executed a Consent Order and Agreement (COA) on July 2, 2004, requiring Fed-Mogul to obtain liability protection under PADEP's Land Recycling Program (Act 2). On August 30, 2004, PADEP approved the Facility's Remedial Investigation and Final Report (RIFR) and provided a letter to Federal-Mogul stating that the site attained a site-specific standard via pathway elimination and its post-remediation care plan. A deed notice acknowledging the presence of hazardous constituents at the Facility was required because site-specific standards were attained. The liability protection obtained from PADEP was transferred to Garfield Center, LLC, and subsequently to the current owner, the K and W Tire Company (K&W).

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Contaminants at this Facility

Arsenic is present in the site soils above PADEP's residential direct contact medium specific concentration (MSC), but below the non-residential MSC. A small chlorobenzene plume containing concentrations slightly above EPA's maximum contaminant level (MCL) is present near the intersection of Garfield and West End Avenues. No potable wells are located in the site vicinity.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional Controls allows for only non-residential use of the property and prohibits the use of groundwater for any drinking or agricultural purpose.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The K and W Tire Company (K&W) currently uses the property for warehouse operations and office space. K and W leases portions of the buildings to tenants for use as warehouse space and retail stores. The building on the western half of the property is currently occupied by Nolt's Auto Parts and Gallo Kitchen and Bath. None of the current businesses operating at the Facility are listed hazardous waste generators.

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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 with assistance from PADEP.

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