Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

West Virginia
Wetzel County
New Martinsville

EPA ID# WVSFN0305531

1st Congressional District

Last Update: March 2001
No future updates

Other Names

None

Current Site Status

The removal action for this site was initiated November 29, 1999 and completed in July of 2000. A further assessment of the groundwater and residual contamination continues.

Site Description

The site consists of a main production building which is comprised of several segmented additions and is located in an urban area on the west side of the city. The 76,300 square foot building is comprised of several production and storage areas as well as office and showroom areas. The (approximately) four-acre site is situated in an old flood plain just east of the Ohio River. A residential community of approximately 100 homes are located within the immediate vicinity of the site. The nearest residences are within 100 feet to the north, east, and south of the facility. The site is bordered to the west by a railroad right of way. Open areas between the buildings are enclosed by a fence. An unnamed tributary to the Ohio River runs underneath the property.

Background:

The facility originated as New Martinsville Glass in 1900. In 1987, the plant was purchased and renamed Dalzell-Viking Glass. The facility had three furnaces fueled by natural gas which produced approximately 5 tons of glass per day. In 1998 the company entered into bankruptcy. The furnaces were shut down. On May 17, 1999 the company went into receivership. The assets of the company were sold off and the facility was left in an abandoned condition. Numerous windows were broken in the building and several doors were kicked in and/or compromised.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed by an EPA Superfund Removal Action.

NPL Listing History

This site is not on the National Priorities List.

Threats and Contaminants

On November 29, 1999, an emergency assessment was conducted. The On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) observed evidence of trespassers entering the building. The assessment identified open and deteriorating vats containing hydrofluoric acid (HF). Other hazardous substances present included unsecured drums, containers, and bags of the following compounds and materials: arsenic, asbestos, barium, cadmium, chromium, cerium, lead, selenium, and various silica. There is a municipal potable water well that supplies the City of New Martinsville located within 100 feet of the north end of the property.

Cleanup Progress

Based on the November 29, 1999 assessment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) immediately contracted 24 hour security service and boarded up the building. A full scale extent of contamination survey was initiated at the four-acre complex and surrounding area. EPA work crews consolidated, repackaged and moved hazardous wastes and hazardous materials into the newer and more secure warehouse. Additional funding was then requested to do a more thorough cleanup of the building and surrounding area. The known hazardous wastes and hazardous materials remaining at the plant were recycled, treated and/or disposed of properly. There is a municipal drinking water well field located just north of the glass plant. EPA installed monitoring wells to determine if any hazardous waste had impacted the groundwater. EPA may take source control measures or other action to protect this drinking water supply. Additional cleanup activities may be undertaken when additional extent of contamination data is available.

Contacts

Site Contacts