The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced that remediation work on the Palmieri site in Center Township, Pa., is now complete.
The site was owned by the Palmieri family from 1961 to 2001 and was used as a dump for waste glass, brick, lime and sand by Phoenix Glass from 1965 until 1980. Newell Rubbermaid purchased the site in 2001.
DEP tests found that some of the waste at the former dump site leached high levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead, which was considered hazardous under state and federal regulations.
“Because of the site’s proximity to a neighborhood, we worked closely with Newell Rubbermaid to ensure this project was completed without causing environmental or nuisance problems for nearby residents,” says DEP Southwest Regional Director George Jugovic Jr. “Treating outdoor hazardous waste in a residential area made it essential that DEP provide strict oversight of the project every step of the way.”
Newell Rubbermaid began remediating the site in August 2009 after DEP approved the company’s plans. About 44,000 tons of waste and contaminated soil was excavated and chemically treated to make it non-hazardous. The material was then returned to the site and covered with two feet of clean soil.
Areas in which waste was staged and treated have been tested and confirmed to be clean. By remediating the site, the company has reduced the potential for hazardous waste and metals to make direct contact with or leach into surface and groundwater.
“While the site has been remediated as required, we advise people not to trespass on the private property to avoid damaging the protective cover and compromising the work that has been completed,” adds Jugovic.
During the project, waste treatment and air sampling records were reviewed to ensure that waste was properly treated and that airborne concentrations of dust and metals were below health risk levels. The data was routinely shared with Center Township officials.
Newell Rubbermaid will submit a final report and engineering certification that the site remediation was performed according to approved plans. Newell Rubbermaid will be responsible for maintaining the site and repairing any damage from erosion and trespassers.