U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3 Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia Update for BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site Ambler, Upper Dublin, Whitpain Twp, Pennsylvania December 2009 Short-Term Cleanup Continues The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 3 (EPA) continues to address the short-term, potential risk at the site. CCM, a 100 foot retaining wall was built near the Rose Valley headwall. The retaining wall will pro- vide further support to the reservoir berm, as Rose Valley is being widened during the stabilization process. We are stabilizing the stream banks because past erosion has caused asbestos-containing materials (ACM) to be exposed along the stream banks of the Wissahickon Creek, Rose Valley Creek, and Tannery Run. The ACM could pose a short-term, potential risk to the community if left in an unsta- ble environment. EPA completed stabilizing the Wissahickon Creek stream bank next to the former park in spring 2009. The stabilization has been tested several times by the storms the area has seen during the summer, and has held up very well. Stabilizing work in- cluded: • Removing and properly disposing of large pieces of ACM (pipes, shingles, etc.) found on the stream bank. • Placing clean fill to level the stream bank and create a relatively even surface. • Placing Geocells on the stream bank and filling them with soil. • Placing topsoil on the stream bank. • Seeding the stream bank. The photo above shows the geocells being used. Geocells are honeycomb-like structures made of plastic which can be filled with soil, stone, or concrete. The photo above shows the retention wall being constructed (along the left) and the CCM placed on the stream bed. EPA is doing similar work on the stream banks of Rose Valley Creek, which runs between Whitpain Park and the reservoir. In order to provide a stable stream bank with minimal excavation, EPA will place cable-concrete mats (CCM) on the stream- bed and stream banks in place of the Geocells. These mats will help keep the water from eroding the soil and exposing ACM. In addition to the Sampling for Long-Term Cleanup As part of EPA's Remedial Investigation (RI) for the long term cleanup, we began taking samples at ------- UPDATE FOR BORIT ASBESTOS SUPERMINI) SITE....PAGE 2 Sampling...Continued Samples will be taken for a variety of contaminants, including asbestos. Samples will be taken from wa- ter, waste, soil, and sediment. The results of our sampling efforts will help us choose the best final cleanup option for the site. Once EPA has all the data we need, we will de- velop a Feasibility Study (FS) to determine the range of different cleanup options we can use. Be- fore a final option is selected, EPA will seek public comments on our options, including the option that we think is the most appropriate for the final cleanup of the site. In total, the RI/FS process may take three to five years to complete because of the amount of sam- pling and analysis that we need to do. The sampling will not affect the work already being done at the site. Likewise, the work being done at the site will not hinder the sampling process. EPA will send up- dated fact sheets to the community reporting on our progress. Enioy Hiking the Wissahickon? There are many beautiful trails along the Wissa- hickon Creek that boast beautiful wildlife and se- rene landscapes. Some of the most enjoyable parts of the Wissahickon Creek run alongside the BoRit Asbestos Superfund Site, as well as the Ambler As- bestos Superfund Site. You may still use these ar- eas for recreation. Unfortunately, prior manufacturing activities have left ACM both in the creek and on the stream banks closest to the site. Public health officials do not see a public health threat from asbestos exposure to people using the unrestricted areas of the Wissa- hickon Creek for occasional recreational purposes (e.g., fishing and swimming). However, people are encouraged to avoid contact with pipes or tiles in the creek areas. If a person were to take these pipes out of the creek and break them, the material could dry and cause asbestos to go in the air. A few other safety tips people should keep in mind include: • Do not bring pieces of pipe or tile home from near the site. The pipes or tiles may contain as- bestos. • If you are in the area and come in contact with suspected asbestos pipes or tiles, clean your shoes or boots outside. • If you touch a pipe or tile, wash your hands. If you are wearing gloves, dispose of them out- side. • If you think you may have come in contact with asbestos, wash your clothes separately from your regular laundry. The photo below is an example of what may be found in the creek. If you have any questions re- garding health risks along the Wissahickon Creek, please contact the following individuals: Lora Werner, AT SDR 215-814-3141 lkw9@cdc.gov Barbara Allerton, P A DO I I 717-346-3285 ballerton@state.pa.us ------- |