Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Honeywell International Incorporated in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania

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Under EPA's Facility Lead Program, Honeywell completed a Phase I Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Investigation (RFI) of the facility. This included the collection of groundwater and soil samples for 8 Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) and a site wide groundwater assessment of the property. Based on the Phase I results, additional investigation was required at five of the SWMUs to complete the assessment. A phase II RFI to collect the additional data was completed in the Fall and Winter of 2004/2005.

Cleanup Status

In September 2011 EPA issued an Administrative Order to Honeywell International Inc., (Facility) which requires a facility wide investigation of the Facility. The Administrative Order was issued pursuant to Section 3008(h) of the RCRA.  The requirements of the order include:

  • Interim measures/stabilization to achieve the initial goal of controlling ground water releases and controlling current human and ecological exposure to contaminated media;
  • RFI, to provide more in-depth information about Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs), and;
  • Corrective Measures Study (CMS) if warranted, to propose final cleanup actions needed.

As a result of the General Chemical Co. finalized Reorganization Plan, Honeywell has incorporated and is managing the investigation and cleanup of several additional solid waste management units (SWMUs) on the Delaware Valley Works (DVW) facility.

In the Fall of 2008, EPA collected sediment samples in the Delaware River basin in areas contiguous to the Facility. The data resulting from this effort indicated elevated levels of arsenic, lead and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in the sediment media.  

In the Fall 2011, accumulated sediment and debris were removed from the storm sewers of the facility’s’ North Plant to eliminate future discharge of source material to the Delaware River.

Removal of Sediment from the Facility’s “Sluiceway” in the South Plant was completed in 2012 to further reduce the possibility of contaminated material discharging to the River. Sediment sampling is continuing in the Delaware River to define the extent of contamination and to develop interim remedial measures to address any potential risk.

An RFI workplan to investigate additional SWMUs was approved in July 2015.

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Site Description

Interactive Map of Honeywell International Incorporated, Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania


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The Honeywell International Incorporated facility is a chemical manufacturing plant located in Claymont, Delaware and Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. The Facility, which straddles the Delaware and Pennsylvania state line, consists of approximately one hundred acres, which is divided by Route 13 into two separate plants, referred to as the "north plant" and "south plant." Two-thirds of the north plant is located in Pennsylvania with the remainder situated in Delaware. Virtually all of the south plant is located in Delaware. A variety of inorganic chemicals and pesticides were manufactured at the Facility during different periods since it began operation in the very late 1890's.

General Chemical Corporation (GCC) acquired the Facility from Allied Signal (now known as Honeywell International Inc.) in 1986. Allied Signal retained ownership of several contiguous parcels of property upon which chemical operations were conducted and continue today. In October 2002, GCC and certain of its affiliates filed a voluntary petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for reorganization relief. GCC subsequently emerged from bankruptcy under an approved Reorganization Plan in October 2003. As a result of the finalized reorganization plan, GCC assumed cleanup responsibility for most of the soils in the south plant and Honeywell assumed responsibility for cleanup of the remainder of the Facility.

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Contaminants at this Facility

Metals, volatile organic compounds and pesticides, are the main constituents of concern found in soils, sediments and groundwater at the facility.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional controls, if required, will be determined at the time of remedy selection.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The south plant has completed closure activities and is not operational. The north plant maintains its current use and there has been no reuse of the facility property to date.

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Site Responsibility at this Facility

RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3.

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