EPA Completes Final Cleanup Actions at Reading Drum Site
PHILADELPHIA – On May 29, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region successfully completed the final phase of hazardous waste removal at the Reading Drum site in Reading, Pennsylvania. This milestone marks the conclusion of a comprehensive cleanup effort that began in late 2023 following two significant fires that severely damaged the former Lincoln Chemical Company building, a non-operational facility containing numerous chemicals and containers.
The fires left the structure in a dilapidated state, posing potential risks to public health and the environment. In response, the EPA initiated an emergency removal action with state and local partners to mitigate these hazards by identifying and sorting chemicals for proper disposal while ensuring the physical safety of local responders and on-site workers.
From November 2023 through early January 2024, EPA also conducted air monitoring, including asbestos sampling, with all results remaining below levels of concern. The agency categorized and removed more than 550 containers of hazardous materials from the site, including flammables, combustibles, acids, bases, oxidizers, and peroxides. In total, EPA committed approximately $1.8 million to site cleanup.
“We are committed to protecting human health and the environment by removing hazardous substances that presented a potential threat to local residents,” said Paul Leonard, EPA Region 3 Superfund and Emergency Management Division Director. “Through strong collaboration with local and state partners, we’re pleased to announce the completion of cleanup for the Reading community.”
Throughout the cleanup process, the EPA established a Joint Information Center (JIC) comprising representatives from the City of Reading, Berks County Emergency Services Department, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). This collaboration facilitated transparent communication with the community, including the distribution of factsheets and postcards to local residents and businesses.
In early 2024, the EPA conducted interviews with JIC partners to gather feedback for the development of a Community Involvement Plan, ensuring that community concerns were addressed and incorporated into the cleanup strategy.
The EPA remains committed to working closely with the community and local partners to ensure that future use of the Reading Drum site aligns with environmental safety and community goals.
For more information about the Reading Drum site or to stay updated on latest activity, please visit the Reading Drum emergency response webpage.