** CD/\
Metro Container Site
EPA Begins Removal Assessment
Trainer, Delaware County, Pennsylvania
^
v< to
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 3
Community Update March 2007
Metro Container Site ...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection (PADEP), Conoco Phillips
and the Trainer Industries will begin sampling
activity at the Metro Container Site, located in
Trainer, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
The site was part of a cleanup effort in previous
years, however as part of an interest to purchase the
property, subsurface soil and groundwater samples
were collected and results detected the presence of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile
organic compounds (SVOCs), polychlorinated
biphenyl's (PCBs) and metals in groundwater. This
new data has prompted PADEP to request EPA's
assistance in an additional investigation into the
extent of contamination present at the site.
The site does not present an immediate
health threat to the community.
Sample Collection...
EPA will conduct a site assessment by collecting soil,
sediment and groundwater samples. Samples will be
analyzed for VOCs, SVOCs, PCBs and heavy
metals. Sediment samples will be collected from
Stoney Creek and from the confluence of Stoney
Creek with the Delaware River.
Schedule ...
Sampling will take about three weeks, weather
permitting, beginning the week of March 5, 2007.
Once data results come back from the laboratory,
EPA will hold a community meeting to
share sampling results and to discuss
any questions or concerns residents
may have about the assessment. The
meeting time, date and location will
be announced in a mailed fact sheet,
similar to this one.
What you may notice...
EPA contractors will be onsite collecting samples
and conducting air monitoring to help ensure public
safety. The workers onsite may be wearing the
following personal protective equipment:
• Plastic coveralls, booties and gloves
• Breathing masks
• Hard hats
• Safety goggles
Protective gear is a requirement for onsite workers
due to the close proximity of potentially hazardous
substances and prolonged exposure throughout the
workday. It will not be necessary for nearby
residents to wear similar equipment.
Next Steps...
Once samples are collected and data results have
been analyzed, EPA will:
• Determine whether a Removal Action is
necessary
• Begin Removal Action procedures (if needed)
such as developing work plans
• Hold a community meeting to inform the
community of the sampling results.
• Distribute additional fact sheet on site activities,
to keep the community and other interested
parties updated.
-------
Background...
Historic use of the site includes a chemical
production plant and a drum reclamation and
recycling facility. In 1990, EPA, in cooperation
with PADEP, conducted an investigation at the
site that resulted in a Removal Action. The 1990
removal action included:
• removing thousands of drums of poor
condition (both above ground and buried)
• installing a fence around the property
restricting access onto the property, and
• constructing a 300-foot retention wall to
prevent contaminants from migrating off-
site.
The site remained closed until Trainer Industries
purchased it during a sheriffs auction in February
2000. In 2005, Conoco Phillips expressed interest
in purchasing the property and conducted a site
assessment resulting in the new sampling data that
prompted EPA's current investigation.
For More Information
If you have any questions or comments, please contact
the representatives listed below:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Marcos Aquino
On-Scene Coordinator
(215) 814-3422
aquino.marcos@epa.gov
• Alicia Walls
Community Involvement Coordinator
(215)814-3135
walls.alicia@epa.gov
Or visit the Metro Container Site webpage at:
www.epaosc.net/metrocontainer
------- |