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Tyler Refrigeration Pit
Press Release
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION III- OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2029
Phone - 215/814-5100 Fax - 215/814-5102
EPA Environmental News
February 21, 1996
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hal Yates, yates.hal@epa.gov
(215) 814-5530
February 21, 1996
EPA SAYS NO CLEANUP NEEDED AT TYLER REFRIGERATION SUPERFUND SITE, SMYRNA, DE
Philadelphia -- The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the Tyler Refrigeration Superfund Site in Smyrna, DE may not need cleanup. Low levels of volatile organic contaminants such as dichloroethene (DCE) and trichloroethane (TCA) were found in the groundwater in the vicinity of the site during studies undertaken by the EPA and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). However, these low levels of contamination do not pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment, and EPA has concluded that no further action is required at the site. However, monitoring will occur to ensure contamination does not move off-site at levels which would pose a risk to human health and the environment in the future.
While EPA has stated its preference for a "no cleanup" course of action at the Tyler site, the final cleanup decision has not been made. Citizens may comment on the proposed "no action" preference during the 30-day comment period that runs from February 21, 1996 to March 22, 1996, and may also request a public meeting to discuss the proposal. Comments should be postmarked by March 22, 1996, and requests for a public meeting should be submitted as soon as possible. The document explaining the proposal, called a "proposed plan" is available in the Smyrna Library.
The site, a former lagoon area, is located at 655 Glenwood Avenue, and is currently occupied by the Metal Masters Food Service Equipment Company, Inc. In 1977 during routine monitoring, Smyrna's two municipal wells were found to contain trichlorocthene (TCE). DNREC, the Delaware Division of Public Health, and the town of Smyrna conducted an investigation to identify possible sources of the TCE. The investigation identified the two former lagoons as a likely potential source. According to aerial photographs, the two lagoons were present on the site as early as July 1954. They were apparently used to receive wastewater from the manufacturing operations at the site. The lagoons were excavated and backfilled between 1973 and 1975.
Between 1982 and 1988, EPA and DNREC investigated the soil and the ground water in the area of the two former lagoons. The investigations revealed TCA and DCE in the vicinity of the former lagoons. EPA proposed that the site be included on the National Priorities List (NPL) in June 1986, and listed it on the NPL in February 1990. However, results of a 1992 investigation showed that the former lagoon area was likely not the source of the TCA, TCE or DCE groundwater contamination. The source of the contamination appeared to be the former Metal Masters plant which is adjacent to the site. In 1995, DNREC investigated the Metal Masters plant area and concluded that the amount of TCA and DCE contamination in the soil and groundwater did not require clean up.