U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION 3
DELAWARE, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
BORIT SUPERFUND SITE
COMMUNITY UPDATE
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AMBLER BOROUGH, UPPER DUBLIN &WHITPAIN TOWNSHIPS, PA MARCH 2011
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues its cleanup efforts at the BoRit Asbestos
Superfund Site, located in Ambler, PA. The Site was used to dispose of asbestos-containing materials
(ACM) from the Keasbey & Mattison Company, an asbestos products manufacturing plant that was in op-
eration from the 1930s to the 1970s. The Site is divided into three distinct sections of land: a reservoir; a
pile; and a closed park. This fact sheet is an update on both Removal and Remedial cleanup activities occur-
ring at the Site. EPA will continue to keep the community informed as work progresses.
Photo shows the
open channel
portion of Tannery
Run, where work
has been completed.
Removal Action: Stream Stabilization
EPA's Removal Program has been working since July 2008 to stabilize stream banks adjacent to the Site
to prevent ACM from entering the streams. This work is estimated to be completed in summer 2011.
Removal activity was temporarily shut down for several weeks due to snow, but has restarted this month.
To date, EPA has completed the stabilization of: the Wissahickon Creek stream bank located adjacent to
the park; the Rose Valley Creek area (including the floodplain); the reservoir berm parallel to the Wissa-
hickon Creek; and is currently working to finish stabilizing the stream bank of Tannery Run.
Once the Tannery Run Creek stabilization has been completed, EPA will stabilize the Wissahickon Creek
stream bank located adjacent to the pile property.
To date, approximately 1,850 tons of debris* have been removed for proper off-site disposal.
*Note: The debris sent off-site for disposal consisted not only of pieces of ACM, but also contaminated soil
and organic materials. Therefore, the 1,850 ton weight is not a direct indication of the amount of asbestos
waste, but is a combined weight of all debris removed. Also, since dust suppression was used during this
work, the materials removed were wetted down and heavier than if the loads would have been dry.
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3oR.it Superfund Site Update Page 2
EPA CONTINUES LONG TERM INVESTIGATION
EPA is investigating the BoRit Asbestos Site to identify the types of site-related contamination and their
locations. This long-term investigation is called a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS).
EPA is collecting soil, air and water samples to help fully evaluate Site conditions. With this information,
EPA will identify feasible options to clean up the Site. The data collected during the RI/FS is vital in evalu-
ating potential cleanup options and ultimately selecting the cleanup method to be used. EPA expects this
phase to take several years.
COM
BoRrt Asbestos Superfund Site. OU1
Ambler, Pennsylvania
Figure 1
Phase 2 Monitoring Well Locations
Map Above Shows Monitoring Well Locations (location indicators not to scale)
Remedial Investigation Activities
Current, ongoing RI/FS activities include:
1) Installing Groundwater Monitoring Wells,
2) Monitoring Surface Water Levels,
3) Collecting Soil Samples, and
4) Monitoring and Collecting Air Samples.
Details on page 3.
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Quick-Fact-Check Info
The following information is provided to address some recent questions or concerns about the BoRit Asbestos Site that have been brought to EPA's
attention.
Is EPA capping the asbestos-contaminated pile at the BoRit Asbestos Site?
A final cleanup method has not yet been determined for the Site. EPA will identify feasible cleanup methods based on the information
gathered during the RI/FS. It is likely that EPA will consider capping the asbestos-contaminated pile as a potential permanent cleanup option. It is
also likely that off-site disposal will be considered as a possible option. Once the RI/FS is completed and potential cleanup methods are evaluated,
EPA will select a "preferred" option and present it, along with all the cleanup options evaluated, to the community for their review and comment.
This public comment period will be held during the "Proposed Plan" phase of the Superfund process.
/Does EPA consider future use of a site when selecting a cleanup method?
Yes. If a community identifies a future use goal, EPA makes every effort to select a remedy that will support that goal. At the
Borit Asbestos Site, EPA provided independent professional planners to work with the Community Advisory Group (CAG) to help identify
three future use scenarios that could be implemented when the cleanup is completed. Also, EPA's Brownfields Program specializes in
former industrial areas being renovated for reuse. (See Redevelopment section on this page.)
Is the asbestos contamination from the Site affecting the local drinking water supply?
No. The community surrounding the Site is serviced by a public drinking water source, sometimes called "town water," which
is routinely tested by the local water authority and must meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards. If you have any questions re-
garding your drinking water quality, please contact your water provider for information.
Any private well owner, regardless of where they live, should have their water tested on a regular basis. Montgomery county residents
with private wells may want to visit the county's health department's well testing program website at: http://health.montcopa.org/health/cwp/
view.A.3.Q.30234.asp.
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REDEVELOPMENT IN AMBLER
EPA supports the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated
properties. In Ambler, there are two properties where this
redevelopment is happening today.
Ambler Boilerhouse Property;
In September 2010, EPA approved Montgomery County's
Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund request for $847,000. The
property is planned to eventually become a Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design certified office space,
making it an environmentally friendly building. For more
information, contact Ms. Glen Sweet, Montgomery County
Redevelopment Authority at (610) 275-5300.
Former K&M Manufacturing Buildings;
The former manufacturing building is being demolished and
abated by the property owner's contractors. Work is being
overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection (PADEP). For more information, contact PADEP
at (484) 250-5991.
FORMER AMBLER ASBESTOS SITE UPDATE
The Ambler Asbestos Site was successfully cleaned up in
August 1993 and deleted from EPA's National Priorities
List in 1996.
As part of the ongoing site inspect!on program, recent
stabilization work was conducted on the upstream bank and
a small area along the bottom edge of the revetment using
large angular stones called riprap. This maintenance work
was completed in September 2010.
EPA will conduct its next "Five-Year Review" at the Site in
2012.
More information on the Ambler Asbestos Site is available on
EPA's website at: www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/
P AD00043 643 6/index .htm
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BoRit Superfund Update.. -page 3
1) Installing Groundwater Monitoring
Wells
In November 2010, EPA completed installa-
tion of six groundwater monitoring wells
around the Site perimeter, along the Wissa-
hickon Creek as well as near the reservoir
and in areas of the Site where asbestos mate-
rials were disposed, (see Map on page 2).
Since then, samples have been collected and
analyzed for Site-related contamination. Re-
sults are currently being reviewed. Once
reviewed, EPA will share the sampling re-
sults with the community (estimated to be
available spring 2011).
2) Monitoring Surface Water Levels
Five gauges were installed to measure creek
water levels.
A seep water sample was also collected near
the reservoir.
This surface water data will be included in
the groundwater monitoring study to help
evaluate the water conditions near the Site.
3) Collecting Soil Samples
* Soil samples were collected at the park at
eleven locations; six within the park and five
along the Wissahickon Creek and Rose Val-
ley Creek stream banks.
* Five soil samples were collected at the pile
where reports show previous fire training
had occurred.
* Soil samples were collected from eight resi-
dential yards along Maple Street, Mercer
Hill Drive, and Betsy Lane. Samples will be
tested for asbestos contamination.
EPA respects the privacy of private property
owners and considers personal information,
such as names, addresses and test results, as
confidential. However, the overall soil sampling
results will be shared with the community.
In addition, three soil samples were collected
at the park and six from the pile to be used
for soil characterization. The samples will
be evaluated for soil particle size, moisture
content and strength, in order to understand
the stability in the soils.
4) Monitoring and Collecting Air
Samples
Previous EPA Ambient Air monitoring
occurred over many months and seasons.
However, in response to the community's
request, EPA also collected samples
throughout the winter months.
Ambient air monitoring samples will con-
tinue to be collected monthly, over a 24-hour
period at seven air stations that are located
around the Site; within the nearby residential
neighborhood; and one remote location (for
study comparison purposes). These loca-
tions are consistent with previous ambient
air monitoring locations.
To date, these ambient air monitoring results
are "non-detect" for asbestos contamination.
EPA will continue to collect monthly
ambient air monitoring samples through the
winter and spring months.
EPA will also conduct Activity-Based
Sampling (ABS). ABS collects outdoor air
samples while disturbing the soil using
routine activities, such as walking, mowing
or raking.
ABS samples are best collected when the
soil is dry, which will help identify the
potential for levels of asbestos to get into the
air. Therefore, this sampling will be
scheduled in warmer, dry weather
conditions.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR To GET INVOLVED
Visit EPA's Field Office:
EPA Field Office
324 West Maple Avenue
Ambler, PA
(215)654-5190
Contact EPA
* Trish Taylor, Community Involvement Coordinator
Email: taylor.trish@epa.gov
Phone:(215)814-5539
* Kristine Matzko, Remedial Project Manager
Email: matzko.kristine@epa.gov
Phone:(215)814-5719
Go On-line to BoRit Websites:
www.epaosc.org/borit (EPA Removal program)
www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/npl/PAD981034887.htm (EPA Remedial program)
www.BoRitCAG.org (Community Advisory Group's website)
Meet With Your Community:
The Community Advisory Group for the BoRit Site meets on the first Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:30
p.m. at the Upper Dublin Township Building, 801 Loch Ash Avenue, Fort Washington, Pa. All meetings
are open to the public. We invite all citizens to get involved and stay informed about the cleanup and the
future of the site.
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