Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
CALHOUN COUNTY
ALBION

Congressional District # 07

MCGRAW EDISON CORP.

EPA ID# MID005339676
Last Updated: February, 2007

Site Description

The McGraw-Edison Corporation site, located in Calhoun County, Michigan, covers an area of approximately 24 acres. The company manufactured air conditioners, humidifiers, and similar equipment from 1958 until 1980. From 1970 to 1980, about 15,000 gallons of "still-bottoms" (an oil waste) contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) were spread on the site's dirt roads to control dust. TCE was found in two onsite water supply wells and 45 nearby residential wells in 1980. Nearby Albion municipal wells also showed TCE contamination in the past. The municipal water supply has been extended to all affected residents; however, several residents refused hookup. 

Approximately 11,000 people live within three miles of the site. The Kalamazoo River is located one-half mile from the site and is used for recreational activities.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through federal, state, and potentially responsible party (PRP) actions. 

Threats and Contaminants

The groundwater, stream sediments, surface water, and soils are contaminated with TCE. People may be exposed to site-related contaminants if they inhale airborne materials or ingest or come into direct contact with polluted groundwater, surface water, soils, or stream sediments. Air quality controls have been established to eliminate the potential for air contamination. Groundwater is still contaminated with TCE, but a purge system is controlling the majority of the contamination. 

Cleanup Progress

A Consent Decree (CD) between the State of Michigan and McGraw-Edison Corporation was entered with the Calhoun County Circuit Court on June 11, 1984. Subsequently, this site and the rest of McGraw-Edison was purchased by Cooper Industries of Houston, Texas. A hydrogeologic study of the site was completed by McGraw-Edison. Since the Consent Agreement was signed, 18,980 cubic yards of contaminated soil have been removed from the site and disposed of in an approved offsite facility. All nearby residences have been connected to the municipal water system, and a groundwater treatment system has been constructed. The groundwater treatment system went into operation in July 1990. In addition, the remaining contaminated soil was treated by "soil flushing", a process in which water is used to wash contaminants from the soil into the groundwater. The groundwater was then extracted and treated to remove the contaminants. Operation of the soil flushing system began in May 1992 and was terminated in October 1997. On September 10, 1991, both Cooper Industries and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality performed the prefinal inspection for the site. 

Approximately 35 low volume extraction wells were installed to prevent contamination within the shallow aquifer from migrating outside the current extent. Groundwater is extracted and then pumped through a dual carbon canister system to remove the primary volatile organic compound contamination before discharging it to a storm sewer system under authority of an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. To address contamination in the deeper bedrock aquifer, a former fire well was converted into an extraction well in order to prevent further migration of contamination in this area. This well extracts groundwater at a rate of 2,000 gallons per minute with the effluent being directed to an air stripper and final discharge to the storm sewer under the NPDES permit. 

Overall, the soil flushing and groundwater extraction systems have continued to work effectively at reducing concentrations in soil and shallow aquifer and deep aquifer groundwater at the site. Although fluctuations in the concentrations of TCE in the groundwater have occurred, these fluctuations can be attributed to seasonal variations and the effects of soil flushing on the system. Triannual monitoring will continue as part of the operation and maintenance segment of site remediation. 

 As of October 12, 1997, all Remedial Action (RA) activities have been completed at this site. Under the terms of the CD, the PRP is responsible for all operation and maintenance activities and reporting for the site.  A Superfund Preliminary Site Close Out Report was signed on January 28, 1998.  The first Five-Year Review was completed on October 29, 1999.  The second Five-Year Review was completed on October 27, 2004.  At that time, it was determined that the remedies were functioning as intended by the CD.  There have been no changes in the toxicity factors for the contaminants of concern that were used in the baseline risk assessment, and there have been no changes to the standardized risk assessment methodology that could affect the protectiveness of the remedies. The third Five-Year Review will be required by October 27, 2009 due to the fact that hazardous substances remain on the site.  

 

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
michael berkoff (berkoff.michael@epa.gov)
(312) 353-8983

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
stuart hill
(312) 886-0689

Aliases

MCGRAW-EDISON COMPANY
MCGRAW-EDISON CO AIR COMFORT DIV

 

Site Profile Information

This profile provides you with information on EPA's cleanup progress at this Superfund site.