Region 3 GPRA Baseline RCRA Corrective Action Facility
General Chemical Corporation
6300 Philadelphia Pike
Marcus Hook, PA 19601
Congressional District 6
EPA ID #: PAD990823742
Last Updated 01/04/2006
Current Progress at the Site
In September 2000 EPA issued an Administrative Order to the General Chemical Corporation (GCC),
which requires a facility wide investigation and cleanup of the former GCC facility in Claymont, DE.
The Administrative Order was issued pursuant to Section 3008(h) of the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA). The requirements of the order include:
• Interim Measures/Stabilization to achieve the initial goal of controlling ground water releases
and controlling current human and ecological exposure to contaminated media;
• RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) if warranted, to provide more in-depth information about
Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs), and;
• Corrective Measures Study (CMS) if warranted, to propose final cleanup actions needed.
GCC, with EPA and State oversight, has completed a phase I investigation of the facility. This included
the collection of groundwater and soil samples for 28 SWMUs. The data resulting from the phase I
field activities will be used to evaluate and characterize the nature and extent of potential contamination.
A phase II sample collection is anticipated for the Spring of 2006. EPA and the Delaware Department
of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will oversee all investigations, interim actions and
cleanup activities conducted at the GCC facility.
As a former owner of the property, Allied Chemical Corporation (now known as Honeywell
International, Inc.), is conducting an investigation of 8 SWMUs located on parcels of property that are
contiguous to the General Chemical facility and currently owned by Honeywell. A Phase II field
investigation for the Honeywell parcels was completed in the Fall of 2004. The data from this
investigation is currently being evaluated. Additional field work is anticipated in the Spring of 2006.
Site Description
The former General Chemical facility also know as the Delaware Valley Works ("DVW") is a chemical
manufacturing plant located in Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware ("Facility"). The Facility
consists of approximately one hundred acres, which is divided by Route 13 into two separate plants,
referred to as the "DVW North Plant" and "DVW South Plant". Two-thirds of the DVW North Plant
is located in Pennsylvania with the remainder situated in Delaware. Virtually all of the DVW South
Plant is located in Delaware. A variety of inorganic chemicals and pesticides were manufactured at the
Facility during different periods since it began operation in the very late 1890's. General Chemical
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acquired the Facility from Allied Signal in 1986. Allied Signal retained ownership of several contiguous
parcels of property upon which chemical operations were conducted and continue today (the
"Honeywell Property").
In October 2002, General Chemical and certain of its affiliates filed a voluntary petition in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware for reorganization relief. General Chemical
subsequently emerged from bankruptcy under an approved Reorganization Plan in October 2003. As
a result of the finalized Reorganization Plan, GCC assumed cleanup responsibility for most of the soils in
the DVW South Plant and Honeywell assumed responsibility for cleanup of the remainder of the DVW.
Site Responsibility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at the GCC facility is being conducted under the direction of EPA
Region 3 with assistance from the State.
Contaminants
Metals and volatile organic compounds are the main constituents of concern found in groundwater at
the site.
Community Interaction
The facility is located within the cities of Claymont, DE and Marcus Hook, PA. Plans documenting
EPA's preferred cleanup alternatives will be made available, by public notice, for members of the
community to review and comment.
Institutional Controls
Institutional Controls, if required, will be determined at the time of remedy selection.
Government Contacts
EPA Project Manager
Mr. Russell Fish - 3WC23
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region III
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Phone: (215) 814-3226
Email: fish.russell@epa.gov
For more information about EPA's corrective action webpage, including Environmental Indicators,
please visit our site at: www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/correctiveaction.htm
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