Hazardous Waste Cleanup: GG Connector Corporation (Formerly: Electronic Manufacturing and Precision Assembly) in Langhorne, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
On August 13, 2104, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Final Decision and Response to Comments declaring that no further action was required to make this property suitable for any type of land use. Based on the Administrative Record compiled for the Corrective Action at the GG Connector Corp. facility, EPA has determined that the Final Remedy selected in the Final Decision and Response to Comments is protective of human health and the environment.
Cleanup History
An Environmental Indicator (EI) Inspection was performed and a Final EI Report was received in June 2009. The following four SWMUs were identified:
- TCA and Waste Oil Drum Storage Area;
- Former Cooling Water Drain;
- Inactive Drum Storage Area; and
- Degreaser Area.
Additionally, the following Areas of Concern (AOC) were identified:
- Underground Storage Tank (UST) Closures;
- Inactive Sump;
- Distillation Room (Freon Recovery Still);
- Former Wastewater Pretreatment Area.
A site visit was performed on March 23, 2010. All of the above identified Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) and Areas of Concern (AOCs) were located. While none of these areas are currently active, other than the Underground Storage Tank (UST) closure, none of the areas have had associated investigations or closures. EPA was also supplied with additional sample results from behind the outside shed near a Drum Storage Area. The results identified low level Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) metals and a slight trace of organics. The samples appear to have been taken due to stressed vegetation noticed.
Based on the minimal information for the SWMUs and AOCs mentioned, EPA notified GG of the need to perform some investigatory work at the warehouse. Once this investigation was completed, EPA determined that the environmental indicators have been met and no further Corrective Action was required by the facility.
Site Description
The Site is situated on approximately 2.5 acres of land located in Langhorne, Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Land use in the surrounding area is mainly industrial and wooded fields. The Site is bound on the east by the Rite-Aid Pharmacy distribution center and to the west by the Enterprise Rent-A-Car company. To the north, the Site is bound by Cabot Boulevard East and Highway One, followed by a large wooded field. A drainage ditch is located immediately south of the Site, followed by a rail line and other light industrial facilities.
The original owners of the Property were Blakely and Dania Wheeler, J.M. Hines, and Paul F. Hellmul. In 1974, ownership of the Site was transferred to Rudolf Kopell. From 1977 to 1995, the Site was owned by Akzona/Brand-Rex and Brintec Corporation, ownership of which was later transferred to BR Holding in November 1983. The Site operated under several different names including Electronic Manufacturing and Precision Assembly, Garry Manufacturing Company, Garry Electronics Company, General Connector, and GG Connector Corporation during this time. The Facility closed in 1994. The Property was purchased in 1995 by Pennsbury School District who has occupied the Site for approximately 19 years.
Prior to 1973, the Site was reportedly used for trailer manufacturing. The first manufacture of PC boards started in 1974 under the ownership of Rudolf Kopell. PC board manufacturing continued in the production building after the Site was sold to Akzona (Brand-Rex/Brintec) in 1977. Active operations during this time included nickel-gold and copper‑tin‑lead electroplating using cyanide and acids, and the associated cleaning, etching, and stripping of the PC boards. As such, the production building included areas for soldering, etching, drilling, scrubbing, printing, and assembly. The Facility also operated a vapor degreaser which used trichloro‑trifluoroethane (Freon 11) solvent containing methylene chloride.
Wastes generated by the manufacturing process were either treated through the on-site wastewater pretreatment area (located in the southern portion of the production building) or were drummed for off-site disposal. Pretreated process wastewater was tested for pH and discharged directly to the FTWA publicly owned treatment works (POTW) or drummed and disposed of off-site. Wastewater treatment sludges containing heavy metals from the electroplating operations were dewatered. The sludge was drummed and disposed of off-site. In addition, the Facility operated a Freon recovery still and a copper recovery filter.
This Facility has operated under several different names including Electronic Manufacturing and Precision Assembly, Garry Manufacturing Company, Garry Electronics Company, General Connector, and GG Connector Corporation. The Facility closed in 1994. The Property was purchased in 1995 by Pennsbury School District who has occupied the Site for approximately 19 years. Pennsbury School District currently uses the former production building for storage of audiovisual (AV) media and computers, warehousing space, and a copy shop. No RCRA‑regulated activities are being conducted at the Facility at this time.
Contaminants at this Facility
EPA has determined that soil and groundwater are not known or reasonably suspected to be contaminated.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional Controls were not required at the site.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site is being reused.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3.