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Jackson Ceramix, Inc.
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site location and surroundings
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EPA ID: PAD001222025
Falls Creek, PA 15840
Jefferson County
Congressional District: 5th
Other Names: None
Last Updated: February 2013
Contacts
Remedial Project Manager
Rashmi Mathur
215-814-5234
mathur.rashmi@epa.gov
Community Involvement Coordinator
David Polish
215-814-3327
polish.david@epa.gov
Governmental Liaison
Laura Mohollen
215-814-3295
Mohollen.laura@Epa.gov
Bulletin Board
Questions
The EPA is dedicated to providing you with timely and accurate information about our work at this site. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
David Polish 215-814-3327
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Related Links
Site Status
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In an earlier action when the Site was a PADEP Site the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has removed the discarded china waste piles along with the sludge remaining in the drainage ditch and the lagoon area. The excavated sludge from these areas was treated, stabilized, and capped onsite.
- EPA expects to finalize the Remedial Investigation by the summer of 2014. The Remedial Investigation includes the following sampling: Soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater sampling of the former manufacturing area, the former lagoon, the Sandy Lick Creek Floodplain and the Falls Creek Park. EPA needs to delineate groundwater contamination further based on prior sampling.
- Results of the sampling show the presence of lead and other metals, organic compounds in the soils, sediment, surface water and groundwater.
- The Falls Creek Park sampling shows low levels of contamination, but do not pose a health risk to people playing in or visiting the park.
- The EPA is also having discussions with the Falls Creek Borough to discuss future redevelopment on the Site.
- Finally, the EPA also conducted a residential well survey, going door-to-door to collect information about private wells. This information will be used to determine the best approach for cleaning up the groundwater.
Cleanup History
NPL Listing History
| Status: Final | Added: September 14, 2005 |
| Deleted: |
- In April 1987, EPA conducted a site inspection of the Jackson Ceramix site. Samples were collected from several areas of concern, including drums, the drainage ditch located adjacent to the site, and the wastewater lagoon.
- In July 1987, EPA Region 3's Technical Assistance Team (TAT) performed a removal assessment at the site.
- In March 1988, additional samples were collected from the site.
- In January 1989, EPA oversaw the excavation and removal of sludge from the lagoon area and contaminated material from the drainage ditch. The excavated lagoon area was backfilled with clean material, and an 80-foot section of pipe was placed over the area to ensure proper drainage.
- In 1989, all drums identified on the property were stored in a secured, contained area.
- On February 10, 1989, EPA’s removal and stabilization activities were completed.
- In May and June of 1991, one off-site and four on-site monitoring wells were installed.
- In February 1992, a representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expressed concern over the potential threat posed to migratory birds by the lead-contaminated wetlands located near the Jackson Ceramix site. As a result, an expanded site inspection was conducted at the site in March and April 1992.
- A two-phased prompt interim response was conducted at the former manufacturing facility, under the direction of PADEP, during the periods of December 7, 1998 through February 5, 1999 and April 21, 1999 through July 15, 1999.
- This response included 1) removal and off-site disposal of asbestos-containing material; 2) excavation and on-site treatment and stabilization of contaminated sludge and soil from 16 sumps, the drainage ditch, and the lagoon; 3) removal and off-site disposal or on-site treatment and stabilization of waste in pits and septic tanks, ceramic manufacturing process materials, construction debris, and stage materials; 4) demolition of two buildings, two kilns, two railroad cars, a chimney stack, and various other structures; 5) relocation of china waste and initial site grading; 6) and construction and revegetation of a soil cap over about 12 acres of the property.
- In August 2001, under the Pennsylvania Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, a pre-design investigation was conducted in the wetland east of the lagoon. The investigation was conducted to assist PADEP in implementing the remedial alternative selected from a feasibility study for the wetland area. The investigation included completion of 154 hand-augured soil borings in the wetland area.
- Based on the analytical results reported from these samples, it has been determined that approximately 13 to 24 acres of the wetland that received drainage from the Jackson Ceramix site contain lead greater than 1,000 parts per million (ppm).
- In May 2005, EPA decided to perform further assessment of the site to address approximately 20 acres of lead contaminated wetlands and to investigate groundwater, soil and air migration pathways on the entire site, including former plant area.
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In September 2005, Jackson Ceramix was listed on the National Priorities List of most hazardous waste sites, making it eligible for additional federal funding for cleanup.
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In July 2009, EPA completed a field investigation of the areas potentially impacted by the former plant located west of the railroad track.
- In February 2010, EPA started the investigation of wetlands. In the fall of 2010, EPA has been collecting soil, surface water, and ecological samples and has been installing new monitoring wells on the wetlands.
- EPA is identifying data gaps in some areas on site, and installing bedrock wells to complete the remedial investigation.
Contaminants and Risks
- The contaminant of concern associated with the china production process was lead. The sludge generated from the china production process contained concentrations of lead characterized under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as hazardous for lead toxicity.
Documents and Reports
- To search an on-line database of all documents and reports on the Jackson Ceramix site, go to EPA’s Administrative Record Database.
- All documents and reports can also be reviewed in person at these locations:
Dubois Public Library
31 South Brady Street
Dubois, PA 15801
814-371-5930U.S. EPA Region III
1650 Arch Street-6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 814-3157
Call for an appointment.
- Some of the site’s key documents of interest are accessible below.
ATSDR's Health Consultation
Hazard Ranking System (HRS) Documentation Record*
* The documentation record provided is available at the time of proposal for informational purposes. An official copy of the documentation record and the documents referenced in it are available at the EPA Region 3 NPL Public Docket at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for Environmental Information.
- Submit a FOIA Request
Get instructions on how to submit a FOIA request. $Fee$ for requests over 100 pages.
Photos, Maps and Diagrams
 |
| Wetlands contaminated with lead |
(Click on a thumbnail to enlarge the photo)
Community Information
- Site Progress Profile — a quick reference sheet, linking to EPA's Headquarters.
- Fact Sheet
January 2013 (PDF) (4 pp, 1.36MB)
- Federal Register
09/14/2005: National Priorities List for Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Sites.ACTION: Final rule.
04/27/2005: National Priorities List for Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Sites, Proposed Rule No. 42
- Press Releases
09/16/2005: Jackson Ceramix Site in Jefferson County Added Superfund List
09/16/2005: Seven Final, Five Proposed Superfund Sites Announced
04/27/2005: Falls Creek Hazardous Waste Site Proposed to Superfund National Priorities List
04/27/2005: Ten Final, Seven Proposed Superfund Sites Announced
Reuse Information
- This site currently does not meet the criteria for Site-wide Ready for Anticipated Use; however parts of the site may be suitable for reuse.
- Want more information about how to reuse a Superfund site?