Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Prior Coated Metals in Allentown, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
During the last quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, Prior Coated Metals has been characterizing the soil and groundwater at their site. The primary objective of the site characterization activities was to further assess the presence and extent of impacted media associated with several identified Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs), including the Paint Storage Room and Spent Solvent/Paint Cartridge Area and exterior area to the plant east of that location. These activities were performed to support release of liability under Act 2 and to satisfy RCRA Corrective Action obligations under the "One Cleanup" Program.
Site Description
Site processes include cleaning, painting, and heating cold-rolled galvanized coils of metal. The Facility houses a 390-foot long process line (in operation since 1962) that is generally comprised of the following components: cleaning/oil removal, chromic acid rinse, paint spray tower, ovens, and metal specification cutting. A drainage system located beneath the cleaning and chrome rinse lines empties into a concrete-lined sump that discharges wastewater to an on-site wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).
The on-site WWTP, which is used for pre-treatment of wastes generated by the process line, has been on-line since November 1986. Prior to 1986, process-related wastewater was discharged directly to Allentown City’s sewer system under a permit issued by the City in February 1976. Semi-annual monitoring of effluent began in 1981. Exeedances of the permitted parameters, in particular chromium (detected at concentrations up to 1,200 parts per billion [ppb]), were identified on several occasions in the wastewater effluent.
Process wastes generated by the plant include wastewater that flows to a transfer pump and is pumped into chrome reduction tanks. Sodium metabisulfite and ferrous sulfate are added to enhance the chrome-reduction process. The water is pumped into a waste holding tank to control pH levels, followed by pumping into a precipitation tank at which point lime is added to aid in the settling of chromium hydroxide sludge. The sludge is pumped to a filter press where it is de-watered. The resulting filter cake is stored in a plastic-lined, roll-off sludge and removed off-site by Envirite Corporation.
Contaminants at this Facility
Contaminants of primary concern are chromium.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
The need for Institutional Controls is yet to be determined.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility is under continued use.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3 with assistance from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.