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| HOPEWELL PRECISION AREA CONTAMINATION | Hopewell Junction, New York | |
| Dutchess County | 19th Congressional District |
Site Location/Size:
The Hopewell Precision Area Contamination is located in Hopewell
Junction, New York, in Dutchess County. Operations at Hopewell
Precision Inc., an active contract manufacturer of sheet metal parts and
assemblies, have resulted in a ground water contamination plume beneath
and downgradient of the current and former Hopewell Precision
properties. The combined size of these adjacent properties is
approximately 5.7 acres and the plume extends approximately 1.5 miles
downgradient. The area surrounding the site consists mostly of
residences, all of which are served by private wells and septic systems.
Site History:
Hopewell Precision operated at its 15 Ryan Drive location from 1977
until 1980 and at the adjacent property since 1980. A painting process
at Hopewell Precision, including degreasing parts prior to wet spray
paint application, generated waste paint, thinners, and degreaser wastes
that the company dumped directly onto the ground at the 15 Ryan Drive
location. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC) performed Hazardous Waste Compliance Inspections of Hopewell
Precision in May 1987 and October 2002. As a result of both
inspections, NYSDEC cited Hopewell Precision for violations of hazardous
waste regulations.
Site Contamination/Contaminants:
Significantly elevated levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs),
including 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and trichloroethylene (TCE), have
been detected in drinking wells downgradient of the former/current
Hopewell Precision properties. Numerous wells out of a total of 450
wells sampled by EPA Emergency Response Program indicated levels
exceeding health-based benchmarks.
Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:
Significant VOC contamination has been detected in drinking wells and
several monitoring wells located on the Hopewell Precision property.
Ground water contamination has potentially affected more than 150
individuals. Since the site was proposed to the NPL, the number of
wells with levels exceeding State and/or Federal health-based benchmarks
have increased to 51 wells. Additionally, based on the results of an
indoor air investigation at Hopewell Precision Area Contamination, EPA
has identified the movement of significant TCE vapors into residences.
Hopewell Precision Area Contamination is also believed to have an impact
on ponds located downgradient of the current/former Hopewell Precision
properties.
Response Activities (to date):
NYSDEC installed point of entry systems (POETs) to treat well water in
14 homes. EPA installed POET systems to treat well water in 37 homes.
In addition, since the site was proposed to the NPL, EPA increased the
number of subslab ventilation systems (SVSs) in homes with significant
soil gas concentrations to 42. EPA continues to conduct drinking well
and soil gas monitoring and will continue to evaluate the need for
additional POETs and/or SVS systems.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices.]
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.