Hazardous Waste Cleanup: QG LLC (Formerly: Quebecor Printing) in Atglen, Pennsylvania

On this page:

• Cleanup Status
• Site Description
• Contaminants at this Facility
• Institutional/Engineer Controls
• Land Reuse
• Site Responsibility

Cleanup Status

The facility implemented cleanup measures starting in 1991 to control groundwater contamination at the site and cleanup spilled material.  EPA issued a Statement of Basis in April 1995 and a Final Decision for required final cleanup actions in June 1997. 

The required cleanup actions included the removal of contaminated soil and the operation of a soil vapor/groundwater extraction system to cleanup both soil and groundwater.  The extraction system operated at the site from January 2000 until December 2003. Groundwater and soil monitoring continued through 2007 to assess the effectiveness of the clean-up. In March 2008, EPA determined that the final clean-up goals were attained and that the remediation of the site was complete.

Site Description

Interactive Map of QG LLC, Atglen, Pennsylvania

This facility has operated as a large printing plant site since it was constructed in 1970. It produces millions of advertising circulars and magazines per year. Soil and ground water at the site were contaminated with several organic compounds at levels above EPA's Risk Based Concentrations for human exposure. The contamination was caused by the release of several thousand gallons of solvent, primarily xylene and toluene, from above ground and underground tanks and pipes.

Contaminants at this Facility

The main contaminants in the groundwater and soil were solvents, primarily toluene and xylene. Benzene, ethylbenzene, tetrachloroethylene and bis(2-ethlyhexyl)phthalate were also detected at levels above human health standards. The EPA Final Decision set clean-up standards for these chemicals that are protective of direct human exposure. The soil clean-up levels also prevent further releases to groundwater. Off-site properties are no longer impacted by the facility contamination.

Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional Controls were not required at the site.

Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The facility is under continued use.

Site Responsibility at this Facility

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3.