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Triumvirate Environmental Incorporated
Other (Former) Names of Site: Chemical Waste Disposal Corporation
| EPA Identification Number: | NYD077444263 | |
| Facility Location: | 42-14 19th Avenue, Astoria, New York |
|
| Facility Contact Name: | John McQuillan, (617) 628-8098 | |
| EPA Contact Name: | Carol Stein, (212) 637-4181, stein.carol@epa.gov | |
| New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Case Manager: |
Vimal Minocha, (518) 402-8594, vsminoch@gw.dec.state.ny.us |
|
| Last Updated: | October 2006 | |
| Environmental Indicator Status: |
Human Exposures Under Control [PDF
33.0 KB, 14 pp]has been verified. |
|
Site Description
Triumvirate Environmental, Inc. is located at 42-14 19th
Avenue in Astoria, New York, and has been in continuous operation as a
waste storage facility since 1964. TEI transports containerized and lab
pack hazardous waste, PCB waste and solid waste from local off-site generators
to its facility for short term storage prior to shipment to authorized
recycling, treatment and disposal facilities. Hazardous waste is not generated,
treated or disposed of at Triumvirate Environmental, Inc.
The site is approximately 16,000 square feet and once consisted of an
administrative building/warehouse and large outdoor concrete pad, used
for loading, offloading and storage of wastes. This arrangement has been
changed, as the concrete pad, which lacked structural integrity, was recently
replaced with a completely enclosed storage facility.
Another company, Chemical Solvents & Distillers, operated along with
Triumvirate Environmental (under its old name, Chemical Waste Disposal)
at this site from 1964-1986, and contributed to the site contamination.
Chemical Solvents & Distillers operated a number of distillation units
for reclamation of solvent, and there were both accidental spills (which
leaked through the cracked concrete pad), along with some intentional
releases during that time.
Site Responsibility and Legal Instrument
New York State Part 373 Hazardous Waste Management Permit addresses:
- The storage and management of hazardous waste in containers and lab packs;
- The closure of the sheet metal storage sheds and the construction of new storage facilities; and
- RCRA corrective action remedial investigation, corrective measures
study, and interim corrective measures design submissions.
Permit Status
A 6NYCRR Part 373 hazardous waste permit was issued on September 28, 1993 and expired on September 9, 1998. This permit has been extended as required by State law and will stay in effect until the issuance of a renewal permit. The draft renewal permit addresses:
- The storage and management of hazardous waste in the new storage facilities;
- The operation and maintenance of the Interim Corrective Measure;
- The continued monitoring of the groundwater; and the assessment of
indoor air for possible contamination from the subsurface.
Potential Threats and Contaminants
The new proposed permit is likely to require further environmental investigation
at Triumvirate, to clarify the extent of contamination on and off site.
Numerous chlorinated and non-chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
and polychlorinated biphenyls, have been detected in the unsaturated soils
and groundwater at concentrations that exceed New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation soil cleanup objectives and NYS groundwater
quality protection standards, respectively. The VOCs detected included
benzene, dichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, toluene, trichloroethane,
trichloroethene, vinyl chloride and xylene.
Water
The highest concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected
in groundwater monitoring wells on-site and immediately off-site. The
wells located further off-site and across the street from Triumvirate
Environmental contained relatively low concentrations of VOCs. The data
suggests that some of the contamination may be coming from a source other
than Triumvirate Environmental. The nearest surface waters are located
about one quarter of a mile northeast, and have not been impacted by contaminated
groundwater from the site. Trespassers would not be expected to come into
contact with contaminated groundwater.
Soil
The limited sampling done indicates that the contamination has not moved
very far, if at all, from the site. The concrete loading and unloading
area precludes direct or indirect contact with contaminated soils by employees
or possible trespassers. Contaminated soils can serve as a source for
contamination of groundwater, but it is expected that the air sparging/soil
vapor extraction system that has been installed and has begun operation (see Cleanup, below) will address this threat.
Air
Indoor air sampling conducted during 2003 showed several air samples of
trichloroethene that were elevated above background but well below occupational
exposure standards. Employees have been notified of these sampling results,
and further sampling will be conducted over the next year. Available data
does not support the idea of nearby structures' indoor air being affected
by contamination from the Triumvirate Environmental site. Outdoor air
has not been shown to be affected by contamination at the site.
Workers sampling and managing contaminated media do so following an appropriate
health and safety plan.
Cleanup Approach and Progress
Triumvirate Environmental, Inc. is located in the Borough of Queens,
which is connected to the New York City water supply system. Therefore,
contaminated groundwater is not used for any purpose onsite or off-site.
However, the State considers all its groundwater to be a potential source
of potable water and thus mandates it to be remediated to groundwater
quality protection standards.
Total renovation of the old facility was completed in 2002, and the new
structure includes separate vaulting and a fire suppression system. The
construction of an interim corrective measure is complete, which includes:
- A groundwater air sparging/vacuum extraction system to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the groundwater and saturated soils, and
- A vacuum extraction system for removing VOCs from the unsaturated soils.
This interim corrective measure (ICM) are operating. Groundwater monitoring will continue to assess the performance of the ICM and determine if natural attenuation is an acceptable remedy for the remainder of the groundwater contamination.
Site Repository
Copies of supporting technical documents and correspondence cited in
this site fact sheet are available for public review at:
NYSDEC - Albany
Bureau of Radiation and Hazardous Site
Management Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-7252
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) makes its public records available for a review under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).
