Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Adhesive Research Incorporated in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
Adhesives Research Inc. has completed the environmental cleanup at their Glen Rock, Pennsylvania facility. The following paragraphs describe the releases that occurred at the Adhesives Research Inc. facility, as well as the corrective measures taken by the facility to remediate the releases.
On December 14, 1987, a fire in the northeast corner of the facility's main manufacturing building occurred when a spark ignited during the transfer of vinyl ethyl ether from a mixing tank to a 55 gallon drum. The release of chemicals to the environment occurred when water used to fight the fire flooded the immediate area of the fire. Approximately 32,000 gallons of this contaminated water was collected and transported off-site by trucks. An additional 90,000 gallons of water were treated by an on-site carbon treatment system. A soil gas analysis survey indicated that the soils in the area had not been substantially impacted by the spill, therefore soil excavation was not required. On-site groundwater wells were tested repeatedly during a two year period following the fire incident. All of these sampling results revealed that the groundwater under the facility had not been impacted by the spill.
In 1990, two leaky underground farm use fuel tanks located on the facility property were removed. Approximately 16.47 tons of contaminated soil was excavated and disposed of off-site. Groundwater continued to be sampled at three locations near the tank removal area, and the results were sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) for review. No detectable amounts of petroleum hydrocarbons were found in any of the groundwater samples.
In 1992, seven underground storage tanks were removed from the facility. Leakage of fuel oil to the surrounding soils had occurred at two of these tanks. Approximately 40 tons of contaminated soil were excavated under PADEP oversight. Subsequent groundwater sampling at the facility found no detectable amounts of petroleum hydrocarbons in any of the groundwater samples.
After performing a facility inspection, and an evaluation of past remediation practices, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes that no further corrective action is necessary at the Adhesives Research Inc. facility. On October 22, 1999, EPA completed the 45 day public comment period for the Adhesives Research Inc. facility, during which time no comments were received on EPA's proposal that no further corrective action is necessary at this time. Therefore, EPA has adopted the proposed decision as the final decision.
Site Description
Interactive map of Adhesive Research Incorporated, Glen Rock, PA
View larger mapThe Adhesives Research Inc. facility consists of approximately 12.5 acres located on Route 216 in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, and is located in a largely agricultural area. Operations at this facility began in 1974, and continue today. Adhesives Research Inc. manufactures pressure sensitive adhesives and applies adhesive to a variety of media, including foams, plastic sheets, paper, and some metals. This process generates non-chlorinated solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, xylene, heptane, and hexane as hazardous wastes. This waste is stored at the facility for less than ninety days before being shipped off-site for disposal.The threat of contamination to the environment at the Adhesives Research Inc. facility has been controlled, and the contaminants of concern have been cleaned up within acceptable levels.
Contaminants at this Facility
The threat of contamination to the environment at the Adhesives Research Inc. facility has been controlled, and the contaminants of concern have been cleaned up within acceptable levels.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional Controls were not required at the site.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility is under continued use.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3.