Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Production Components Corporation (Formerly: Eaton Laboratories) in Lansdale, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
EPA sets national goals to measure progress toward meeting the nation’s major environmental goals. For Corrective Action, EPA evaluates two key environmental indicators for each facility: (1) current human exposures under control and (2) migration of contaminated groundwater under control. On June 2, 2011, Michael Jr. Baker, Inc. (Baker) conducted an Environmental Indicator (EI) Inspection of Production Components Corporation (PCC or Facility), on behalf of EPA. A representative from the EPA was present for the EI Inspection. The findings of the EI Inspection are documented in a November 2011 EI Inspection Report for PCC, prepared by Baker. Also presented in the EI Inspection Report is a summary of the information reviewed by Baker in preparation for the EI Inspection, including records maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and EPA. Based on a review of the information presented in the EI Inspection Report, EPA determined that the Facility met both of these indicators on April 19, 2012.
EPA’s review of available information indicates that there are no unaddressed releases of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents from the Facility. On August 7, 2012, EPA announced its proposed decision of Corrective Action Complete without Controls under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended, for PCC. Consistent with public participation provisions under RCRA, EPA requested comments from the public on the proposed remedy as described in the July 19, 2012 Statement of Basis (SB). The commencement of a thirty (30) day public comment period was announced in The Reporter newspaper on August 7, 2012 and on the EPA Region III website. The public comment period ended on September 5, 2012.
On September 7, 2012, EPA approved its final remedy decision for PCC in a document entitled the Final Decision and Response to Comments (FDRTC). EPA received no comments on the proposed decision. Consequently, EPA’s final determination is unchanged from the proposal. EPA has determined that its final decision is protective of human health and the environment and that no further corrective action or land use controls are necessary at this time.
Cleanup Background
The Eaton facility was listed as one of 26 potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for the North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site: named such because it affects the North Penn Water Authority (NPWA) wells that supply drinking to most of the people living northwest of Philadelphia. The North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) on March 31, 1989. As part of a 1991 Phase II RI/FS Focused Feasibility Study, soil samples were collected from the Eaton property. Based on the results of the soil sampling, Eaton was not identified as a PRP that was held liable for the soil and groundwater remediation in the area.
Site Description
Interactive map of Production Components Corporation (Formerly: Eaton Laboratories), Lansdale, PA
The Facility is located in Lansdale Borough, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in an industrial/commercial area. Two separate Buildings (Building one and Building two) are located on the 3.7 acre property. Building one is located on West Fifth Street and is approximately 80,000 square feet and is divided into three separate suites. PCC currently leases the northwest suite. The southeast suite is occupied by Handelok Bag Company, and the remaining space is unoccupied. Building two is located on Mitchell Avenue directly north of Building one. Building two is approximately 21,000 square feet and is divided into two separate suites: one approximately 12,000 square feet and the other approximately 9,000 square feet. PCC occupies the 12,000 square feet suite and the smaller 9,000 square feet is occupied by Service Tire and Truck Center.
PCC provides precision sheet metals services and uses conventional and computer controlled fabrication equipment to manufacture a variety of panels, enclosures, covers, frames, brackets, and cabinets. Materials for fabrication include steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and various other alloys. PCC also provides paint and powder coat finishing. PCC’s administrative areas, as well as the sheet metal fabrication operations are located in Building one. The Facility’s paint line and phosphate cleaning system are located in Building two. PCC leases the Facility from 701 West Associates LLC.
In 1978, Eaton Laboratories, Inc. (Eaton) first leased and operated out of the 25,000 square foot suite in the northwest end of Building one. Eaton was a manufacturer of textile chemicals, dry cleaning auxiliary chemicals, and maintenance chemicals (detergents and cleaners). In 1981, PCC was founded and initially leased and operated out of the 9,000 square foot suite located on the southwest end of Building two before expanding into the 12,000 square feet suite. In 1990, PCC again expanded its operations, moving into the 25,000 square feet suite in Building one formerly occupied by Eaton.
Contaminants at this Facility
Contaminants of primary concern are chromium.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional Controls were not required at the site.
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.