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.
The EPA Removal Program was asked to evaluate the potential for vapor intrusion at several industrial/commercial properties that are part of 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.
