MERCURY REFINING SUPERFUND SITE
Towns of Colonie and Guilderland,
Albany County, NY
SOIL AND GROUND WATER
CLEANUP TO RESUME IN JULY
Community Update
July 2014
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency has
prepared this fact sheet to
inform the community, local
officials and other interested
parties about the status of the
soil and ground water cleanup
activities at the Mercury
Refining Superfund Site.
Specifically, this fact sheet
provides a summary of the
planned and completed
construction work at the site.
If you have questions or need
more information, please
contact:
Larisa Romanowski
EPA Community
Involvement Coordinator
(518) 747-4389
romanowski.larisa@epa.gov
Thomas Mongelii
EPA Project Manager
(212) 637-4256
monqelli.thomas@epa.gov
Local EPA Document
Repository:
William K. Sanford Town
Library
629 Albany Shaker Road
Loudonville, NY 12211
From 1956 to 1998, the half-acre Mercury Refining
Company, Inc. site, located at 26 Railroad Avenue in
Colonie, New York, was used for reclaiming mercury
from batteries and other mercury-bearing materials. Soil,
ground water and sediment on-site are contaminated
with mercury.
After an extensive investigation and evaluation of
various options for cleanup of the site, the EPA selected
its final cleanup plan in 2008. That plan requires a
combination of soil excavation and treatment of the soil
and ground water.
The design of the cleanup, which was prepared by
Brown and Caldwell Associates on behalf of the
companies responsible for the contamination, was
approved by the EPA in September 2013. The design
document is available for review at the local repository
located at the William K. Sanford Town Library.
The cleanup of the Mercury Refining Superfund Site is
being conducted in two phases. The first phase was
performed in fall 2013 and included contaminated soil
and sediment excavation, removal and backfilling.
The second phase, which includes the in-situ (in-place)
solidification/stabilization portion of the cleanup, is
expected to be performed in summer 2014.
The main components of the soil, ground water and
sediment cleanup include:
•	Excavation and off-site disposal of mercury
contaminated soil that exceeds the 5.7 parts per
million (ppm) cleanup objective;
•	Excavation and off-site disposal of mercury
contaminated sediment in the Unnamed Tributary to
Patroon Creek which exceed the 1.3 ppm cleanup
objective; and
•	In-situ solidification/stabilization of soil in areas of
the site where mercury concentrations in ground
water exceed the 0.7 ppm cleanup objective.

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In-Situ Solidification/Stabilization - Summer 2014
The second phase of work, which includes the in-situ (in-place) solidification/stabilization
portion of the cleanup, is expected to be performed in summer 2014.
Construction work will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It is
estimated that the in-situ solidification/stabilization work will require three months to complete
beginning in mid-July 2014.
The cleanup is being conducted by WRS Infrastructure & Environment on behalf of the
companies responsible for the contamination at the site. The EPA will oversee all of the
construction activities.
The in-situ solidification/stabilization portion of the cleanup will involve the use of an auger
system to blend columns of soil within the in-situ solidification/stabilization area with a mixture
of Portland cement and a sulfur containing compound. The sulfur compound acts to
chemically stabilize mercury in both the soil and ground water into an immobile state. The
specific sulfur compound will be determined after a pilot scale study. The cement significantly
restricts the ability of ground water to infiltrate the in-situ solidification/stabilization area and
carry mercury off-site. It will also provide the soil strength necessary to allow for site reuse
after the cleanup.
The solidified soil columns will extend downward approximately 60 to 70 feet, including a
minimum of two feet into the clay layer underlying the site, which acts as a natural barrier to
the mercury contamination.
Due to the anticipated swelling of the solidified soil columns, pre-excavation of approximately
7 to 8-feet of soil located above the water table will be conducted throughout the in-situ
solidification/stabilization area, except for those areas adjacent to the on-site building and
perimeter of the work area, to maintain structural integrity of the building and optimize safety
of the work area. Excavated soil will be direct-loaded into transport vehicles. Liners will be
installed in each truck, and plastic sheeting will be placed over the loading side and beneath
each truck to minimize the need for decontamination. Transport and disposal of all hazardous
and non-hazardous waste will be in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws and
regulations.
Air monitoring for mercury vapors and particulates (i.e. dust) will be performed at the
downwind perimeter of work areas. These include soil excavation, handling, transport, and
backfilling, soil staging, stockpiling, stabilization/immobilization, or sampling work areas. Air
monitoring will ensure the protection of the downwind community from potential airborne
releases associated with site investigation and cleanup work. This air monitoring will be in
addition to the air monitoring that will be performed around the work areas for on-site workers'
protection. Should the contaminants and particulates approach unacceptable levels,
corrective actions to reduce emissions (e.g., dust suppression/control measures via water
applications, vehicle speed reductions, materials hauling in tarped or watertight containers,
etc.), and/or work shutdown will be implemented. Furthermore, good site management
practices will be carried out to keep vapors, dust, and odors at a minimum around the work
areas.
All safety procedures including equipment decontamination (where necessary), and Health
and Safety Contingency Plan protocols will be followed in the same manner as during the soil
and sediment excavation.
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The site will be secured through use of a temporary fence and an existing fence. Entrance to
the site will only be permitted for authorized personnel with proper identification.
The work that will be performed will be done in a way that accommodates, to the extent
practicable, the needs and concerns of the current site operator, adjacent property owners,
and the surrounding community. The work will also comply with applicable rules and
regulations for the protection of the environment and the health and safety of the personnel
performing and overseeing the work.
Soil and Sediment Excavation - Fall 2013 (Completed)
Soil and sediment excavation activities were conducted at the site by LAND Remediation,
Inc. between October and December 2013. A total of 5,588 tons of non-hazardous sediment,
soil, debris, concrete, and asphalt and 172 tons of hazardous soil and asphalt containing
button batteries were excavated and disposed of off-site. Additionally, 3,500 gallons of water
including decontamination water and water pumped from the Unnamed Tributary to Patroon
Creek were collected and treated and disposed of off-site. A total of 301 post-excavation soil
and sediment samples were collected to confirm that all soil and sediment above the
respective 5.7 ppm and 1.3 ppm cleanup objectives, not located within the in-situ
solidification/stabilization, were removed. Following excavation, all areas were backfilled with
clean soil and paved, covered with stone, or seeded with grass where appropriate.
Perimeter air monitoring was conducted throughout the soil and sediment excavation
activities. The air quality requirements for particulate matter and mercury vapor were met
during work activities.
More information about the Mercury Refining Superfund Site is available at
http://epa.qov/Reqion2/superfund/npl/mercurvrefininq/.
Regional Public Liaison:
If you would like information on general environmental concerns or the federal Superfund
hazardous waste program, have concerns or complaints about the Superfund program, or if
you seek assistance in resolving site-specific issues that were not fully addressed by the EPA,
please contact:
George Zachos
U.S. EPA
Regional Public Liaison
(732) 321-6621
zachos.qeorqe@epa.gov
Or toll free at (888) 283-7626
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