Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Lansdale Finishers Incorporated in Lansdale, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
The final decision of Complete without Controls became effective October 3, 2011 after a 30-day public comment period. No further action is required to make the former Lansdale Finishers property suitable for any type of land use.
Environmental investigations began in the late 1980s. Remedial efforts were conducted in 2003-2004 in preparation for the transfer of the property and included the removal of a gasoline underground storage tank (UST). A soil sampling event was conducted in May 2011 to confirm that two unaddressed areas of the facility were not impacted by lead, cadmium, or chromium above levels protective of human health and the environment. More information on the investigation and remediation of the facility can be found in the Statement of Basis (refer to "Additional Site Information : Reports and Documents") .
Site Description
Interactive map of Lansdale Finishers Incorporated, Lansdale, PA
Lancaster Metals Science Corporation is a photochemical etching facility which has been in operation at this location since March 1984. The ranking of this facility as a high-priority Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action facility was based on the reported release of carbon tetrachloride to groundwater. However, inspections and investigations conducted in 1987 and 2002 found no evidence of past or current use of chlorinated solvents or carbon tetrachloride at the facility. Furthermore, an analysis of groundwater monitoring data from 1999 and 2004 at wells downgradient of the facility indicate levels of carbon tetrachloride below detection limits. Based on these inspections and investigations, it has been concluded that the report of the carbon tetrachloride release at this facility was in error and that there otherwise is no information which would suggest a potential release of any hazardous wastes or substances above protective levels at the facility.
Contaminants at this Facility
Primary contaminants at the facility included non-halogenated volatile organic compounds (primarily benzene, ethyl benzene, and xylenes from the gasoline UST). The removal of the gasoline UST and surrounding soil eliminated this source of contamination, and the Phase II sampling completed in 2003 demonstrated that other suspected areas of contamination were not impacted above levels protective of human health and the environment. Furthermore, concentrations of lead, cadmium, and chromium from soil sampling performed in 2011 were below levels of concern. Therefore, EPA determined that the facility presents negligible risk for any type of potential exposure scenario.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional controls were not required at the facility.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site is unused.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3.