Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Pennsylvania
Chester County
West Caln Township

EPA ID# PAD980539985

6th Congressional District

Last Update: November 2009

Other Names

None

Current Site Status

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is overseeing the cleanup of the Blosenski Landfill where construction activities were completed in September 1998. The groundwater cleanup system is fully operational. Periodic groundwater monitoring and routine maintenance continue to be performed. EPA reviews all Superfund sites where contamination continues to exist every five years to ensure that the cleanup method is still effective. The last five year review was completed in September 2008 and found that several issues need to be investigated to determine protectiveness in the short term. One of the issues that requires further study is vapor intrusion. This study is currently being prepared by the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) for the Site. An evaluation of the possible lateral spread of landfill gases is also being performed by the Site PRPs. The next five-year review is scheduled to be completed in 2013.

Site Description

The Blosenski Landfill covers approximately eight acres of this 13 ½-acre site in West Caln Township, Pennsylvania. It is bordered by wooded and agricultural areas and new housing. The site operated as a landfill for the disposal of municipal and industrial wastes from the 1940s to the 1970s. Solvents, paints, leaking drums, and tank truck contents were dumped randomly into the unlined landfill. The landfill was ordered to cease operation by the Chester County Health Department in 1971. In response to citizen concerns, regulatory actions were taken against the facility. Approximately 600 residents live within 1/4-mile of the site.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through federal and potentially responsible parties' actions.

NPL Listing History

Our country's most serious, uncontrolled, or abandoned hazardous waste sites can be cleaned using federal money. To be eligible for federal cleanup money, a site must be put on the National Priorities List. This site was proposed to the list on December 30, 1982 and formally added to the list on September 8, 1983.

Threats and Contaminants

The ground water and surface water contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, vinyl chloride, and chloroform from former disposal practices. These compounds, as well as heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic, also were detected in monitoring and residential wells on and surrounding the site (during past sampling events). VOCs, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals have been detected in soils on-site. VOCs and heavy metals have been detected in a tributary that receives run-off from the Blosenski Landfill. Potential risks may exist through direct contact with contaminated soils and through accidental ingestion of contaminated ground water or soil. Recreational use of a tributary of Indian Spring Run, located approximately 500 feet north of the property, or of Indian Spring Run itself, may result in exposure to contaminants in surface water and sediments. Vapor intrusion issues and landfill gas issues are currently being investigated by the PRPs.

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

Cleanup Progress

All remedial construction for this site has been completed. The site has been addressed in the following four phases:

1.) In March 1990, the installation of the alternate water supply was completed. The public water system was extended and approximately 75 residences were provided with connections.

2.) Approximately 1,300 buried drums (excavated in 1992 and in 1995), many containing hazardous soils and liquids were excavated, over packed, and disposed of at an EPA-approved facility. In addition to the drums, approximately 350 cubic yards of contaminated materials and soils that were in direct contact with the drums were also shipped off-site for disposal.

3.) Additional groundwater monitoring wells were installed during the period from 1990 through 1996 to further characterize groundwater contamination. Based on groundwater study results, a design for a groundwater remediation system was completed in April 1998. Construction of the groundwater treatment building was completed in September 1998. The ground water is currently pumped and treated in an on-site treatment facility to remove contamination from the area aquifer. Periodic monitoring of groundwater is conducted. The plant is fully operational and in compliance with all discharge criteria. Monthly NPDES monitoring ensures that the treatment plant discharge meets requirements.

4.) Construction of the landfill cap was completed in November 1995. The cap is intended to prevent rainwater from coming in contact with and from infiltrating through the materials that remains in the landfill.

Contacts

Contacts

Administrative Record Locations