v>EPA
REGION III
EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
TEAM
Perkasie TCE Assessment
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
"Extent-of-Contamination" Sampling Begins
- EPA LOOKS FOR VAPORS IN SOIL-
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region 3 Community Update
May 2004
The Perkasie TCE assessment...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is taking more soil vapor samples in Perkasie,
Pennsylvania. Due to past industrial activities in the
area, EPA is testing for vapors from trichloroethylene
(TCE), which was a commonly used solvent.
Although the samples will be taken in limited
locations within Perkasie, this newsletter has been
sent to the surrounding community, as an update of
EPA's activities in the area. If more samples are
needed, EPA will contact additional property
owners for permission, either by phone, in-person
or by mail.
Extent-of-Contamination Sampling...
EPA is taking another round of samples to
help identify the boundaries, or extent, of the TCE
contamination found in November 2003. This
round of sampling will be taken throughout May,
and early June 2004. Each round of sampling is
part of a detailed investigation to find out if TCE
vapors exist in residential neighborhoods and if they
are getting into homes ("TCE vapor intrusion").
Sampling Process...
4
The general location of this round of
sampling is depicted on the map shown J
Residential participation is voluntary
Samples will be collected from properties
with the owner's written permission
Sampling costs will be the responsibility of
EPA, not the residents
Schedule...
Sampling will take about three weeks,
weather permitting, however data results will take
longer. All results must go through a process of
quality assurance and quality controls (QAQC), to
help ensure accuracy, which can take up to 60 days.
Once EPA has the data back we will provide
property owners their individual results. Personal
property results are considered confidential,
however EPA will issue a community update with
the overall findings to the public and media.
What you may notice...
Workers will be...
in residential areas
taking notes and photographs
possibly wearing protective gear, such as
hardhats, safety glasses or latex gloves
collecting samples from a depth of
approximately five to eight feet, using a
hand-held direct push drill
collecting samples into a specialized canister
that will be sent to a lab for analysis
You may see paint marks on the street or
driveways. Marks were made by borough officials
to identify buried utility lines, so there is no damage
to pipes or cable lines while work is being done.
Background...
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In November 2003, EPA collected about 60
samples as part of a preliminary assessment in the
Perkasie area. The results showed that there is TCE-
contaminated soil vapor in industrial areas of
Perkasie, and that further investigation was needed.
Based on those results, EPA decided to investigate
possible TCE contamination in residential areas by
taking sub-slab soil-vapor samples in March and this
current round of sampling.
Example of a SUMMA passivated canister
used to collect soil vapor samples
For More Information...
If you have questions about this project, please
contact:
Rich Fetzer
EPA On-Scene Coordinator
(215) 814-3263
Sub-Slab Sampling...
In March 2004, EPA collected sub-slab soil
vapor samples from about 20 locations. This
process involved taking samples from areas directly
underneath homes, to determine if TCE-
contaminated vapors were present. The locations
for the sub-slab sampling were picked based on their
proximity to areas where TCE contamination was
detected in the November 2003 sampling. The data
results have been analyzed, and all results are below
EPA's screening levels. EPA may re-test these
sample locations within the next year, to monitor the
current conditions.
What is TCE?...
TCE is...
• A nonflammable, colorless liquid
• Used mainly as a solvent to remove grease
from metal parts
• An ingredient in adhesives, paint removers,
typewriter correction fluids, and spot removers
Long-term exposure to TCE-eontaminated
vapors are a potential risk to human health.
Possible health effects are nerve, kidney and liver
damage. Also, some studies have shown TCE to
cause cancer to these organs.
During this investigation, EPA will work
together with the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR). ATSDR is an agency
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
Fa Infonnation.
If you have health-related questions about TCE,
please contact:
Bucky Walters
ATSDR Regional Representative
(215) 814-3139
Or visit the website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov
Trish Taylor
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
(215)814-5539
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• ^ ^ • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1650 Arch Street (Mailcode 3ITS43)
b ' o Philadelphia, PA 19103
% Attn: Trish Taylor
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