U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, REGION 3
DELAWARE, MARYLAND, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
KlMBERTON SUPERFUND SITE
COMMUNITY UPDATE
EAST PIKELAND TOWNSHIP, CHESTER CO., PENNSYLVANIA
DECEMBER 2010
EPA is overseeing the cleanup of the Kimberton Site using sound science with the health and safety of
the community as apriority. We are committed to providing the community with accurate information
and opportunities to be involved throughout the cleanup process. For more information, please visit our
website often at: http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/PAD980691703/index.htm
EPA to Test for Vapor Intrusion During Winter 2011
• In September 2009, EPA conducted a five-year
review of the Kimberton Site that recommended a
vapor intrusion investigation be conducted.
• Vapor intrusion is the movement of volatile or-
ganic compounds (VOCs), such as trichloroethene
(TCE), from groundwater and soil into buildings.
• TCE is the main contaminant of concern at the
Kimberton Site and that's why EPA wants to do
this additional vapor intrusion testing.
• EPA considers this vapor intrusion evaluation to
be a precautionary measure, but one that is essen-
tial to confirm that the community is not being
adversely affected by the site.
• *EPA has already identified the properties that we
would like to test, which include residential and
commercial buildings within 100 feet of the TCE
groundwater plume (see figure on back) and we
are working directly with the property owners to
request permission to do the testing.
• Results will be evaluated to determine if any vapor
intrusion is occurring, if there are any potential
risks present and what additional investigation or
actions, if any, are needed.
• All sample results will be shared with the property
owners and EPA will provide an overview of our
results to the community in a future update.
*Your property does not need to be tested if you
have not been contacted by an EPA representative.
EPA Availability Sessions
December 15, 2010
The East Pikeland Township Building
1158 Rapps Dam Road
Phoenixville, PA 19460-1910
Two availability sessions will be conducted:
2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m.
6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
Drop by anytime during the availability ses-
sions to meet the EPA Kimberton Superfund
Site team, ask questions and obtain informa-
tion regarding the vapor intrusion testing.
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Kimberton Superfund Site Update — Page 2
ORE ABOUT VAPOR INTRUSION
The study of vapor intrusion is a developing science that has been gaining attention since the 1990s.
Many Superfund sites with VOC impacted groundwater are now being reevaluated to determine if
vapor intrusion is an issue.
There are numerous common household products that can contribute to the presence of VOCs in the
home. These include gasoline and other petroleum products, solvents, degreasers, moth balls, paints
and paint strippers, new carpeting and furniture, cigarette smoke, air fresheners and dry-cleaned
clothing.
Vapor intrusion can also occur as the result of soil and/or groundwater contamination, as may be the
case at the Kimberton Site. EPA can test for vapor intrusion and if high levels are present, we can de-
termine the best ways to reduce the level of vapor intrusion inside buildings.
Vapor intrusion can be evaluated by collecting samples of air from inside, outside and beneath homes
and businesses. Samples are collected from beneath homes by drilling small holes through the foun-
dation floor.
The graphic below illustrates how vapor intrusion enters buildings. You can find more information
about vapor intrusion on the Kimberton website at:
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/npl/PAD980691703.htm
Commercial/Industrial Worker
Working over Plume
Resident Living over Plume
Basement or Crawl Space Without Basement
Indoor Air
Vadose Zone
Soil Gas
Soil and
Groundwater
Contamination
Typical conceptual site model illustrating how vapor intrusion can occur in different types
of buildings and settings. (Source: ITRC Vapor Intrusion Pathway: A Practical Guideline)
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Kimberton Superfund Site Update.. -page 3
SITE BACKGROUND
The Kimberton Superfund Site occupies approximately 45 acres and encompasses the
Henry Monsey Products manufacturing company, adjacent residential properties, and the
surrounding village of Kimberton.
From 1947 through 1959, the site was used to make resins, textiles and asphalt products.
Previous owners had disposed of various residues in eight on-site lagoons, which eventu-
ally leaked, contaminating the on-site soil, local groundwater and surface water. During
routine well testing in 1981, TCE contamination was detected. The lagoons were
identified as the source of the TCE contamination.
In 1983, the EPA added the site to the National Priorities List of most hazardous waste
sites in the country, making the site eligible for federal cleanup.
Henry Monsey Products currently uses the site for manufacturing asphalt products. A
treatment system is in place to reduce the levels of TCE contamination in the ground
water. Cleanup work is being conducted by the parties responsible for the
management of the Kimberton Superfund Site (BASF and Henry Co.) with oversight by
EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).
FOR MORE INFORMATIO
EPA is committed to assisting the community in its understanding of
our process and the science involved in our cleanup activities. We invite
the public to feel free to call us with any questions or concerns about
the site.
Contact EPA
Vance Evans
Community Involvement Coordinator
(215) 814-5526
evans.vance@epa.gov
Joshua Barber
Remedial Project Manager
215-814-3393
barber.joshua@epa.gov
Visit the Kimberton Website;
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/npl/PAD980691703.htm
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You are invited to EPA's upcoming availability
sessions for the Kimberton Superfund Site,
scheduled on December 15, 2010 from
2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. and 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
For more information, please see Page 1 of
this community update.
This figure depicts the extent of the TCE ground-
water plume extending from the Kimberton Site.
Affix Label Here
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