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MUSKEGON COUNTY
MUSKEGON
Congressional District # 02
KAYDON CORP.
EPA ID# MID006016703Last Updated: February, 2007
Site Description
The 40 acre Kaydon Corporation site is located in Muskegon County, Michigan. The original owner of the property, the White Motors Company, produced engine blocks at the facility until Kaydon acquired the site in 1941. Kaydon has since manufactured bearings, ball bearings, and various bearing assemblies at the site.
Until 1968, wastewater from plant processes, some of which involved chlorinated organic solvents, was disposed of on-site in seepage pits and into the south branch of Ruddiman Creek. Since 1968, the wastes have been separated out so that only cooling water is discharged into the creek. Ruddiman Creek flows into Muskegon Lake, which is used for recreational activities and is connected to Lake Michigan. Process wastes are removed by waste haulers, discharged to the sanitary sewer, or discharged to two onsite lined ponds. Solids settle out in the ponds with the water piped to the sanitary sewer. The pond sludge is periodically removed to a hazardous waste facility regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C.
Groundwater investigations began in October 1982 when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) requested that Kaydon perform a hydrogeologic investigation of the area. The investigation revealed volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the groundwater leaving the Kaydon property. In 1987, Kaydon submitted to Michigan an initial Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for on-site groundwater (Operable Unit #1 or OU1). Michigan approved the RAP. However, the document was later reopened due to the passage of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of Michigan (NREPA) in 1994.
The Kaydon site was proposed for the National Priorities List (NPL) on June 24, 1988. On February 21, 1990, the site was placed on the NPL.
After the site was placed on the NPL, the State continued to work with Kaydon to define the extent of contamination. In 1995, restructuring within the State of Michigan transferred responsibility for remedial activities from MDNR to the newly created Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). U.S. EPA continued to have a support role at the site.
Site Responsibility
This site is being addressed through state and potentially responsible party (PRP) actions.
Threats and Contaminants
Soil and sludges contained metals and chlorinated organic solvents such as cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and xylenes at concentrations above Michigan's promulgated soil criteria. Groundwater investigations revealed volatile organic compounds and cyanide. Soil and groundwater have been impacted by former unlined on-site process waste and wastewater seepage ponds, as well as releases from other areas of Kaydon property.
Cleanup Progress
In June 1986, Kaydon Corporation removed 1,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil and sludge and transported them to an approved landfill. In January 1988, based upon the results of a hydrogeological study, operation of two purge wells was initiated to capture the contaminated groundwater. A 1992 hydrogeological investigation revealed further organic solvents levels in the groundwater, including 1,2-dichloroethane, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, perchloroethylene tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, and trichloroethylene.
MDEQ requested that Kaydon Corporation perform a soil investigation to identify potential contamination from the old seepage pits and old lagoons, which had not yet been addressed. The soils were investigated in 1994.
Two additional source areas of contaminated soils were discovered on the site in 1997 and 1998. Both areas were investigated and remediation consisted of removal of contaminated soils and visually impacted groundwater. In 2003, soil boring samples were collected from beneath the building to address potential indoor air issues. All on-site remediation was completed in 2003.
The MDEQ RAP process has been used to investigate and remediate the site, since Kaydon Corporation has voluntarily complied with Michigan's requests. Cleanup criteria meet the State of Michigan's standards established under NREPA.
In order to remediate identified soil contamination found on the Kaydon property (OU1), Kaydon performed several interim removals between 1986 and 2000. In addition, Kaydon designed and installed a system to mitigate contaminated groundwater within and outside of the property boundary (OU2). This system has been operational since 1988. Kaydon has determined, and MDEQ has concurred, that OU2 soils have not been impacted by releases from Kaydon.
All work at the site has been voluntarily completed by Kaydon. Oversight was performed by the MDNR and MDEQ. MDEQ expects to enter into a Consent Decree with Kaydon in 2007 to address future operation, maintenance, and monitoring at the site.
Soils at the facility have been remediated to levels protective of industrial direct contact criteria and inhalation. Continued industrial use is anticipated at the site. No additional institutional controls are anticipated to limit activities at the Kaydon property as the property is currently zoned for industrial use.
The groundwater purge system is expected to remain in operation until Maximum Contaminant Levels and Michigan Part 201 Drinking Water Standards are achieved. MDEQ is requiring that Kaydon prepare an Operations, Maintenance, and Monitoring Plan that will outline activities required to ensure proper system performance and contaminant plume evaluation.
A preliminary close-out report (PCOR) was signed by U.S. EPA in June 2006. The PCOR documents that all construction was completed.
A Final RAP is scheduled to be completed by MDEQ by the end of 2007, and the first five year review is scheduled to be completed in 2011.
Property Reuse
Soils at the facility have been remediated to levels protective of industrial direct contact criteria and inhalation. Continued industrial use is anticipated at the site since the property is currently zoned for industrial use.Contacts
Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPAsam chummar (chummar.sam@epa.gov)
(312) 886-1434
Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
bob paulson
(312) 886-0272
Aliases
KAYDON CORP