Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Bethlehem Apparatus Company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
In 2011, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and its contractor (Baker) conducted a site inspection at the facility. The inspection evaluated two key environmental indicators (EIs): (1) current human exposures and (2) migration of contaminated groundwater to determine whether any unacceptable risk to human health and/or the environment is ongoing at the facility.
EPA has determined on October 26, 2012 that the Facility has no contamination problem that creates an unacceptable risk to human health nor is there any evidence of adverse groundwater contamination impact to the environment and issued Corrective Action Statement of Basis without Controls.
Site Description
Interactive Map of Bethlehem Apparatus Company, Bethlehem, PA
Bethlehem Apparatus Company recycles/reclaims mercury from mercury bearing hazardous waste. The facility processes a wide variety of solid and liquid mercury bearing wastes. The reclaimed mercury is transport to the Bethlehem Apparatus Company Hellertown, PA facility for further refining by distillation for sale to commercial and industrial users.
The facility is an approximately 38,400-square foot facility, which includes an office area, a paved receiving lot, a material sorting and preparation area with various safety and handling equipment, an enclosed and covered container storage area, six high vacuum mercury retorts and associated equipment, a high vacuum auto-feed retort system, a calomel (mercurous chloride) process area and a research and development laboratory. All hazardous and non-hazardous waste, raw material, and product handling and storage activities are conducted within the enclosed building. The facility does not make use of hazardous waste disposal, waste piles, land treatment or application, or surface impoundments.
Contaminants at this Facility
Based on the site visit and the comprehensive file review, there appears to be no indications of spills or releases that have negatively impacted soil, groundwater, surface water, or air that would lead to adverse impacts to human health or the environment at this time.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional controls were not required at the site.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site's future use is yet to be determined.
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.