New Hanover County Airport Burn Pit
| New Hanover County Airport Burn Pit EPA ID: NCD981021157 Location: Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC Congressional District: 07 NPL Status: Proposed: 06/24/88; Final 03/31/89 Project Manager Site Repository: New Hanover County Public Library 210 Chestnut St. Wilmington, NC 28410 Documents:
Site Background: The construction date of the original burn pit is unknown, but a second pit was constructed in 1968 and used until 1979 for firefighter training purposes. Jet fuel, gasoline, petroleum storage tank bottoms, fuel oil, kerosene, and sorbent materials from oil spill cleanups were burned in the pit. It is estimated that between 100 to 500 gallons of ignitable fuel were used during each firefighting training exercise. Water was the primary fire extinguishing agent; however, carbon dioxide and dry chemicals were also used. In 1985, sampling by the County showed heavy metals and volatile organic compounds in the pit sludge. In May 1986, the State confirmed the presence of contamination. The potentially responsible parties (PRPs) were provided the opportunity to conduct the remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS), however, the Agency found their good faith offer to be deficient. Therefore, the moratorium was not extended and the Agency initiated Fund monies to conduct the RI/FS. However, the PRPs did conduct a removal action at the Site in 1990 under an Administrative Order on Consent. Contaminants detected in the soils include benzene, ethylbenzene, total xylene, 2-methylnaphthalene, phenanthrene, and chromium. Contaminants detected in the groundwater above Federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and/or State groundwater quality standards included benzene, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, and ethylbenzene. The total volume of groundwater impacted by the Site is estimated to be 9.7 million gallons. The plume of contamination has remained on-site. The health risk posed by this site is primarily from the future use of the groundwater as a potable source due to the presence of contaminants at concentrations above EPA's MCLs for drinking water and the State of North Carolina groundwater quality standards. Cleanup Progress: Threat Mitigated by Physical Cleanup Work |
![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif)
