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

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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

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