Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Pennsylvania
Montgomery County
Montgomery Township

EPA ID# PAD980692693

13th Congressional District

Last Update: March 2009

Other Names

American Electronics Laboratories

Current Site Status

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) in July 2002 for the North Penn Area 5 Superfund Site (Site). The RI identified three primary areas of contaminated groundwater associated with the Site. In each of these areas, groundwater was found to be contaminated with trichloroethene (TCE) above EPA's drinking water standards. Historically the areas have been referred to by the facility or location where the contamination was found. The Site has been separated into operable units (OUs) to help track the activities being conducted at the various locations. The areas of concern are identified as follows: the BAE Plume (OU1); the Stabilus Plume (OU2); and the Advance Lane Plume (OU3).

Based on the findings of the RI/FS, EPA released a Proposed Plan for public comment on July 26, 2002. EPA held a public meeting on August 7, 2002 to present the findings of the RI/FS and to discuss the proposed cleanup remedy for each area. Comments were accepted through October 30, 2002. EPA received extensive comments on the Proposed Plan. Based on comments, EPA conducted additional field investigations and subsequently issued a supplemental RI/FS in September 2003. On June 25, 2004, EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) selecting the cleanup plan for OU1 and OU3. The remedy selected in the ROD aims to reduce the source of TCE and related volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) using in situ chemical oxidation while controlling further migration of contaminated groundwater though groundwater extraction and treatment.

In response to comments received by the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), EPA did not select a remedy for the OU2 portion of the Site. Based on review of the comments and upon further review of the existing data, EPA determined that additional investigation is necessary before a final cleanup plan can be selected for OU2. However, EPA is now proposing an interim source control remedy to address high levels of TCE in the shallow groundwater found at OU2. The proposed interim remedy includes the following major components: enhanced in situ bioremediation to address shallow contamination associated with the loading dock source area on the former Stabilus facility; monitoring to evaluate the performance of the bioremediation processes and progress towards achieving cleanup goals; additional sampling to better delineate the extent of groundwater contamination; an evaluation of the potential for vapor intrusion; and the development of institutional controls to protect the integrity of the interim remedy and ensure that the public is not exposed to contaminated groundwater.

EPA released a revised Proposed Plan for OU2 for public comment on September 15, 2008. EPA held a public meeting on September 23, 2008 to discuss the proposed interim remedy. Comments were accepted through November 17, 2008. Once again, EPA received extensive comments on the Proposed Plan from the PRPs. EPA is in the process of preparing a response to these comments.

EPA is also proceeding with the design and implementation of the OU1 and OU3 remedies. Recent activities are described below:

(OU1) BAE Plume - In December 2006, in accordance with an agreement with EPA, BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Inc. (BAE) initiated additional investigations to better define the extent of contaminated groundwater associated with OU1. These investigations included the installation and sampling of new monitoring wells and geophysical and hydraulic testing to refine the understanding of the hydrogeologic conditions and contaminant transport mechanisms at OU1. BAE also conducting pre-design activities to better evaluate chemical, physical and biological treatment alternatives, including enhanced in-situ chemical oxidation selected in the 2004 ROD. Work included conducting sampling and analyses to characterize the groundwater geochemistry. In addition, BAE conducted a pilot test to evaluate the possible use of soil vapor extraction (SVE) and/or dual-phase extraction which combines SVE and groundwater extraction and treatment technologies. The results of these investigations are discussed in a Pre-Deisgn Investigation Report, submitted to EPA in January 2009. EPA is currently reviewing the report and expects to provide comments to BAE shortly.

(OU3) Advance Lane - In April 2007, EPA conducted additional sampling of residential and commercial supply wells in the vicinity of OU3. Although trace levels of organic and inorganic compounds were detected in certain water samples, none of the constituents were reported at levels that exceeded risk-based concentrations for residential tap water. EPA also installed four new monitoring wells in an attempt to identify the source of contaminated groundwater and to aid in defining the extent of groundwater contamination associated with OU3. Recent sampling results from new and existing monitoring wells indicate that TCE levels in the vicinity of OU3 have decreased. EPA plans to conduct a pilot test this Summer to better evaluate the use of enhanced in-situ chemical oxidation selected in the 2004 ROD. The results of the activities discussed above are expected to aid in the design of the final cleanup remedy for OU3.

Site Description

North Penn Area 5 is one of several sites in the North Penn area of Pennsylvania that is suspected of contaminating groundwater and drinking water. The 35-acre site is located in Montgomery Township and Hatfield Township, Montgomery County. A company previously known as American Electronics Laboratories, Inc. manufactured electronic communication systems and components on the site. Another facility in the area is Stabilus Inc. which manufactured gas springs used in the automobile industry and other mechanical equipment. In the Advance Lane area a number of smaller facilities are located and are associated with a variety of products and services. Investigations have found trichloroethene (TCE), other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are chemical components of solvents and degreasers, and their related breakdown products in on-site and off-site wells.

Site Responsibility

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

NPL Listing History

Our country's most serious, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites can be cleaned up using federal money. To be eligible for federal cleanup money, a site must be put on the National Priorities List (NPL). This site was proposed to the NPL on January 22, 1987 and formally added to the list on March 31, 1989.

Threats and Contaminants

The groundwater contains VOCs including trichloroethene (TCE) and trichloroethane (TCA) which are chemical components of solvents and degreasers. Some elevated levels of inorganics and PAHs in soils and sediments on the site were detected.

Contaminant descriptions and associated risk factors are available at: (ATSDR web site).

Cleanup Progress

In 1981, the state ordered the American Electronic Laboratories, Inc. (AEL) to remove 125 cubic yards of contaminated soil and transport them to an EPA-approved hazardous waste facility. The soil contamination was located in the area of an underground storage tank on the property. In 1981, the company began treating contaminated groundwater by pumping on-site monitoring wells and sending the water to a nearby sewage treatment plant. In early 1986, the AEL installed a unit that uses air stripping to remove VOCs from the groundwater.

EPA did a preliminary study of the nature and extent of contamination at the site. Based on this information, the EPA did an in-depth study of the groundwater, surface water and soil in 1997.
EPA installed over 30 monitoring wells, conducted a well inventory for the area, sampled and analyzed water from all the new and existing residential and commercial wells in the vicinity of the site. The agency shared these results with individual property owners. The investigation also collected and analyzed soil samples from the industrial facilities which could have contributed to the groundwater contamination. These results were tabulated and shared with property/facility owners early in 1999. Additional field activities were conducted in 2002 through 2003 to provide information about data gaps identified in the review of the original RI data. The complete groundwater investigation was conducted by EPA with assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey.

The feasibility study evaluated groundwater remediation strategies to treat and restore the contaminated groundwater plume. The complete investigation and feasibility reports are now complete and available on the Agency web site.

Contacts

Site Contacts

Administrative Record Locations