U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
North Penn Area 6 - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
Subject: POLREP #1
Initial
North Penn Area 6
03W9
Lansdale, PA

To:
From: Kelley Chase, On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 8/6/2015
Reporting Period: 7/23/15 through 8/6/15

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: 03W9    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type:  
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category:
NPL Status: NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:      Start Date:  
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

1.1.2 Site Description

The North Penn Area 6 Superfund Site (Site) is largely a groundwater contamination problem encompassing the area in and around the Borough of Lansdale, Pennsylvania. The area is a mix of industrial, commercial and residential properties. The primary contaminants of concern in groundwater are volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) which are common components of degreasers and solvents.

The Site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL) on March 31, 1989. EPA selected a remedy for the Site in a Record of Decision, signed on August 10, 2000. The remedy includes groundwater extraction and treatment to clean up the contaminated groundwater underlying the site. The remedy also requires that individual water supply wells affected by the site-related contamination above drinking water standards be provided with connections to the public water supply.

In 2013 and 2014, the EPA Remedial Program conducted sampling at several on-site properties to evaluate the potential for vapor intrusion.  Based on the results of that sampling and given recent changes in screening values for TCE, the EPA Removal Program was asked to further evaluate the potential for vapor intrusion at two properties located within the Site.

Vapor intrusion is the term used to describe the migration of chemical vapors from subsurface contaminated soils and groundwater into the indoor air spaces of overlying buildings through openings in the building foundation. Common sources of VI include petroleum products, dry cleaning solvents, and other industrial solvents and degreasers.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located in Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Given the underlying groundwater contamination and based on the results of earlier sampling of indoor air and sub-slab vapor conducted by the EPA Remedial Program, the EPA Removal Program was asked to further evaluate the potential for vapor intrusion at two industrial/commercial properties at the Site.

EPA is coordinating with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).  ATSDR is a federal public health agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides assistance to EPA in evaluating potential human health risks associated with exposure to environmental contaminants.


1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

On July 23, 2015, On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Chase and Remedial Project Manager (RPM) Ngo visited the two industrial/commercial properties.  The first property visited was the J.W. Rex Heat Treat facility located at 8th & Valley Forge Road in Lansdale.  The second was the Westside Industries facility located at 5th & Mitchell Streets.  The OSC and RPM toured the facilities and identified the locations of earlier sampling efforts.  

The OSC will review the results of early sampling and meet with the EPA Remedial Program and ATSDR to discuss plans to further evaluate the potential for vapor intrusion at these facilities.    
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.2 Planning Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    No information available at this time.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

ATSDR
4. Personnel On Site
  No information available at this time.
5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.