Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Sabic Innovative Plastics - Washington Site (Formerly: GE Plastics) in Washington, West Virginia
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
In 1992, EPA issued a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action permit to the company to proceed with site cleanup. EPA and the facility worked jointly to complete the requirements of the permits which included:
- Conduct a Verification Investigation (VI) and RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) of Twenty-three Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) and five Areas of Concern (AOCs) to determine if they warrant any cleanup action;
- Develop and implement interim measures at 7 Solid Waste Management Units and 2 Areas of concern where warranted;
- Conduct an air investigation model to determine if air emissions are at an acceptable health-based level; and
- Corrective Measures Study (CMS) to propose the final cleanup actions needed.
Cleanup Status
The facility has completed interim measures at 18 SWMUS or AOCS. These interim measures include; upgrades or replacement; soil/waste removal; and slope stabilization. The facility has also submitted a Final RFI Report that has been accepted by EPA. A "YE" designation has been assigned for both the Groundwater Environmental Indicator and for the Current Human Exposure Environmental Indicator for the facility. The facility completed major modifications at the waste water treatment plant during 2004. A Statement of Basis was completed summarizing all of the Corrective Action that has been completed at the site and stating EPA’s decision that Corrective Action is complete with Controls. A Public Notice summarizing EPA’s decision was placed in a local newspaper on July 23, 2008 and there was a 45-day comment period. No comments were received. Therefore, the Corrective Action Complete with Controls determination is considered final.
The Interim Measures implemented by GE at the 18 SWMUs and AOCs have collectively removed contaminants from Site soils, reduced air emissions, stabilized waste management areas and provided secondary containment to prevent environmental impacts from ongoing operations. These actions have mitigated any negative environmental impacts from historic operations and overall have resulted in the Facility posing no unacceptable risk to human health and the environment. In order to sustain these benefits the current owner, SABIC Innovative Plastics, will be required to continue to operate and maintain the Facility in accordance with State and Federal permits, and program requirements. Three SWMUs and one AOC that will require periodic inspections are listed below. The inspection schedule will be determined by the WVDEP through an environmental covenant or other legal authority.
In 1995, GE Plastics Inc. and EPA Region III held a public meeting to inform the community about the permit and the proposed activities under the permit.
A Statement of Basis was completed summarizing all of the Corrective Action that has been completed at the site and stating EPA’s decision that Corrective Action is complete with Controls. A Public Notice summarizing EPA’s decision was placed in a local newspaper on July 23, 2008 and there was a 45-day comment period. No comments were received. Therefore, the Corrective Action Complete with Controls determination is considered final.
Site Description
Interactive Map of Sabic Innovative Plastics - Washington Site, Washington, West Virginia
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Located in Washington, West Virginia, the GE Plastics Inc. Site encompasses approximately 510 acres. The facility was built in 1956 and began operations in 1957 and continues today for the production of plastic resins. The GE Plastics Inc. Site borders the Ohio River and resides in an industrial development with one other facility. The nearest community is located within one mile of the facility.
On August 31, 2007, General Electric sold its plastics division, GE Plastics, to SABIC Innovative Plastics. Through this acquisition the former GE Plastics business became SABIC Innovative Plastics which assumed responsibility for the RCRA Corrective Action Permit as well as other governmental permits, authorizations and licenses in connection with the operation of the Facility.
Contaminants at this Facility
The main contaminants in the groundwater and soil are: arsenic, Benzo(a)anthracene, Benzo(a)pyrene and carbon tetrachloride.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
| Restrictions or Controls that Address: | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
|
Groundwater Use
|
|
X
|
|
Residential Use
|
|
X
|
|
Excavation
|
|
X
|
|
Vapor Intrusion
|
|
X
|
|
Capped Area(s)
|
|
X
|
|
Other Engineering Controls
|
X
|
|
|
Other Restrictions
|
|
X
|
Engineering Controls for the site include:
- Access to the site is controlled by a perimeter fence. To enter the site one must pass through a security check point manned by guards.
- Maintenance of Landfill Caps (SWMU14 -Landfill A) vegetative cover and protective riprap;( SWMU17 - Landfill D) : soil cover & storm drain.
- Maintenance of SWMU39: washrack floor & floor sump pump and AOC H secondary containment pad and sump pump.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility is in continued use.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection with assistance from the EPA Region 3.