Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Lyondell Chemical Company in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

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Cleanup Status

An Environmental Indicator (EI) inspection was conducted in April 2013 to determine whether human exposures to contamination and the migration of contaminated groundwater were under control at the Lyondell facility.

Lyondell has installed 14 monitoring wells to assess groundwater conditions at the facility.  Lyondell sampled the wells annually over a four year time period, with the most recent sampling completed in September 2014.  The groundwater was analyzed for VOCs, SVOCs, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Metals.  The results were compared to EPA’s Regional Screening Level (RSL) for tap water.  The results indicate that groundwater is not contaminated.

EPA’s review of available information indicates that there are no unaddressed releases of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents from the Facility.  Based on that assessment, EPA’s decision on April 19, 2015  is that no further investigation or cleanup is required.  EPA has determined that its decision is protective of human health and the environment and that no further corrective action or land use controls are necessary at this time

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Site Description

Interactive Map of Lyondell Chemical Company, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania


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Lyondell Chemical Company (‘Lyondell’, formerly ARCO Chemical Company [ACC]) began operations in October 1978.  The facility served as a research and development center focusing on chemicals (primarily propylene oxide and its derivatives) which are used to make consumer end products.  Research conducted at the facility ranged from small bench-scale experiments performed in its laboratories to pilot plants.  No commercial chemical manufacturing was performed at this facility.

Currently, the Newtown Square Technology Center serves as a research and development center for the company’s chemicals and fuels businesses.  Research and development work focuses on chemicals used to make consumer end products such as plastics, furniture foams, athletic footwear, paints, cosmetics, fabrics, gasoline and more.  The facility is currently operated by Lyondell Bassell and continues to operate as a research and development center. 

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Contaminants at this Facility

 EPA’s review of available information indicates that there are no unaddressed releases of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents from the Facility and that no further corrective action or land use controls are necessary at this time.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

 Institutional Controls were not required at the site.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The site under continued use.

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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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