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NPL Site Narrative for Koppers Co., Inc. (Newport Plant)
KOPPERS CO., INC. (NEWPORT PLANT)
Newport, Delaware
Federal Register Notice: August 30, 1990Conditions at proposal (October 26, 1989): Koppers Co., Inc., operated a wood preserving plant from 1940 to 1971 on a 317-acre site at the corner of Water Street and Jones Street in Newport, New Castle County, Delaware. The site is bounded by rivers, creeks, and the Newport plant of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc.
In 1971, Koppers sold the site to Dupont. As part of the sales agreement, Koppers removed chemicals in the process tanks. Dupont removed all structures from the site, which is now vacant.
The treatment process Koppers used consisted of loading railroad ties and telephone poles into cylinders and pressure injecting them with creosote or a mixture of No. 2 fuel oil and pentachlorophenol. In the treatment area were a pond filled with water used for fire protection and a sump where any effluent from the treatment process was collected.
In December 1984, EPA detected polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo(a)anthracene, pyrene, fluoranthene, chrysene, and benzo(a)pyrene, in on-site soil, pond sediments, and nearby creek sediments. These compounds are constituents of creosote.
Ground water is the most important source of drinking water in the area. The Artesian Water Co. draws drinking water from three wells within 3 miles of the site and blends it with other water to serve its 150,000 customers. The wells tap the Lower Potomac Formation, which consists of permeable deposits and is hydraulically connected to the overlying Columbia Formation, permitting water to move between them.
Wetlands are present both on the site and bordering the site.
Status (August 30, 1990): EPA has notified parties potentially responsible for wastes associated with the site of their potential liabilities. EPA is investigating the possibility of those parties performing a remedial investigation/feasibility study to determine the type and extent of contamination at the site and identify alternatives for remedial action.
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.