Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems in Archbald, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
Lockheed Martin elected to finalize EPA and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) cleanup activities under the One Cleanup Memorandum of Agreement. EPA and PADEP agreed to Lockheed Martin’s participation in the One Cleanup Program in March 2013. The Act 2 Final Report included proposed land and groundwater use restrictions at the Facility. The Final Report was approved by PADEP on July 30, 2014. EPA has reviewed and agrees with the conclusions and recommendations in the Final Report. Specific restrictions as detailed in the Environmental Covenant approved on May 20, 2015 and recorded on June 16, 2015. A statement of basis for corrective actions was completed in July 2015 that proposed corrective action complete with controls restricted via an Environmental Covenant.
Cleanup Background
A Final Environmental Indicator (EI) Inspection Report was submitted in December 2005. This summarized historic corrective action information contained in EPA and PADEP files to date.
The EI Report detected Trichloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater have been documented at the facility above EPA Drinking Water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
A site characterization report dated January 2009 was submitted and reviewed by EPA and PADEP. Results indicated elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (TCE, PCE, vinyl chloride, 1,1,1-TCA, and 1,2-DCE) in the soil and groundwater in the immediate area of a waste neutralization building that was demolished. A Proposal for Site Investigation and Groundwater Sampling was received August 11, 2009. The plan was approved and Lockheed Martin conducted the investigation.
Based on the results of this latest sampling, Lockheed Martin submitted a Remedial Action Plan on March 29, 2010. Since the source of the TCE, stained soils, were removed during demolition, Lockheed Martin proposed monitoring of the groundwater to document that volatile organic compounds found in the groundwater are not migrating or impacting human health or the environment. Additionally, it was identified that a vapor intrusion investigation was warranted due to the TCE concentration observed in groundwater. A work plan was submitted by Lockheed Martin and approved by EPA and PADEP in August 2010. Draft air sampling results do not indicate that vapor intrusion is a concern at the facility.
Site Description
Interactive map of Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems, Archbald, PA
Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense (formerly Weston Controls and Loral Systems) is located in Archbald, Pennsylvania. The facility is engaged in the assembly of electronic instruments and controls for the following areas: computerized non-contact thickness gauging systems for metal rolling operations, nuclear instrumentation and control systems for the Navy, and electronic communication jamming armament devices for the Department of Defense. The basic process involves material inspection, metal fabrication, electronics assembly, finished product assembly, quality assurance testing, and packaging and shipping.
Various quantities of paints, transmission and cooling oils, degreasers (Freon and ketones), industrial solvents, paint thinners (xylenes), and compressed gases (halon 1301, ammonia, carbon dioxide, acetylene) are used in the manufacturing process. The facility was noted to be an existing facility since April 1, 1951.
Contaminants at this Facility
Primary contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds (VOC) and lead.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional Controls enforced via environmental covenant include:
The Facility Property shall be restricted to use as non-residential property, as defined by the Pennsylvania Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, 35 P.S. § 6026.103;
Groundwater from beneath the Facility Property shall not be used for drinking water and commercial agricultural use(s), including, but not limited to, irrigation of crops, watering of livestock, and food production, processing, or packaging without appropriate treatment and/or approval provided by the PADEP.
An engineering control, in the form of an impermeable asphalt cap over the former WWTF is currently in place and will be maintained to limit or minimize future migration of residual VOCs and lead in subsurface soils. The presence of this asphalt pavement will also minimize infiltration of precipitation through the impacted soils.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site under continued use.
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.