Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Delaware
Kent County
Smyma

EPA ID# DED980705545

1st Congressional District

Last Update: January 2009

Other Names

None

Current Site Status

In 1996, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) selected a “No Action” remedy for the Record of Decision (ROD) at this site, meaning that the current groundwater monitoring program is sufficiently protective. Metal Masters, the current occupant of the property, will soon take over this monitoring program, pursuant to an Administrative Order of Consent (AOC) that became effective June 4, 2002. In 2002, EPA conducted a five-year review that confirmed the remedy is protective. EPA issued a Final Close Out Report (FCOR) for the Site later in 2002. On January 28, 2004, EPA announced the start of the Public Comment Period for the Deletion of the Site from the National Priorities List (NPL). Since no comments opposing the deletion were received by February 27, 2004, the deletion from the NPL became effective on March 29, 2004. EPA issued the second Five Year Review Report for the Site in September 2007.

Site Description

From 1952 to 1969, Tyler Refrigeration, located on a three-acre parcel of land in Smyrna, Kent County, Delaware (1st Congressional District), used solvents to degrease and clean refrigeration equipment, and dumped the spent solvents, paint room wastes, and sludge into two unlined disposal pits. In the 1970s, Clark Equipment Company excavated the pit to a depth of 20 feet, filled it in, capped it with six inches of topsoil and clay, and planted vegetation. The site is now occupied by Metal Masters, who formerly manufactured commercial kitchen equipment on-site. Public access is unrestricted, but most of the old pit’s surface area has been paved. Since 1977, trichloroethylene (TCE) and trichloroethane (TCA) have been detected in Smyrna's municipal wells. The state identified the Tyler pit as a likely contributor to this pollution, although there may have been other sources, since TCE has not been found in on-site soils or ground water. In 1982, EPA conducted a preliminary assessment and site investigation which revealed the presence of elevated concentrations of toluene, 1,1-dichloroethane and TCA in the soil taken around the former pit area. In 1988, EPA tasked the state with conducting a follow up site inspection. Analyses of the ground water on-site, specifically downgradient from the loading dock, revealed elevated concentrations of TCA. About 5,000 people receive drinking water from the Smyrna municipal wells. Sixty homes stand within 1/4 mile of the site, with the closest being within 300 feet.

Site Responsibility

This site was the responsibility of federal and state governments, and parties potentially responsible for Site contamination.

NPL Listing History

This site was proposed to the National Priorities List of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites requiring long term remedial action on June 10, 1986. The Site was formally added to the list February 21, 1990, making it eligible for federal cleanup funds. This site's deletion from the NPL became effective on March 29, 2004.

Threats and Contaminants

Since 1977, trichloroethylene (TCE) and trichloroethane (TCA) were detected in Smyrna's municipal wells. The state identified the Tyler pit as a likely contributor to this pollution, although there may have been other sources, since TCE has not been found in onsite soils or ground water. In 1982, EPA conducted a preliminary assessment and site investigation which revealed the presence of elevated concentrations of toluene, 1,1-dichloroethane and TCA in the soil taken around the former pit area. In 1988, EPA tasked the state to conduct a follow up site inspection. Analyses of the ground water in the pit area revealed elevated concentrations of TCA.

Contaminant descriptions and risk factors are available from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an arm of the CDC.

Cleanup Progress

A consent agreement and order was signed by Clark Equipment Company and the EPA in 1991, under which the company agreed to perform an investigation of contamination related to the former disposal pits. This investigation revealed that the groundwater was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethane and the pesticide dieldrin. The groundwater contamination, however, does not appear to be related to the former disposal pits. An upgradient source on the Metal Masters property was suspected to be the cause of the groundwater contamination. In January 1995, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) issued a Consent Decree pursuant to which Metal Masters performed a Remedial Investigation to determine the source and extent of contamination. DNREC lead this investigation under its Hazardous Substance cleanup program. In October 1995, DNREC issued a Final Plan of Remedial Action which identified the probable source area of the VOC contamination on the Metal Masters property. However, this plan also concluded that this VOC contamination was not at levels which would pose an unacceptable threat to human health or the environment. EPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for the site on May 10, 1996. EPA selected a “No Action” remedy for this ROD, however, EPA has implemented a groundwater monitoring program at the site to ensure the protectiveness of the remedy. Metal Masters will take over this monitoring program, pursuant to an AOC that became effective June 4, 2002. In 2002, EPA conducted a five-year review that confirmed the remedy is protective. EPA issued a Final Close Out Report (FCOR) for the Site later in 2002. On January 28, 2004, EPA announced the start of the Public Comment Period for the Deletion of the Site from the National Priorities List (NPL). Since no comments opposing the deletion were received by February 27, 2004, the deletion from the NPL became effective on March 29, 2004. EPA issued the second Five Year Review Report for the Site in September 2007.

Contacts

Site Contacts

Administrative Record Locations