Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Borchers Americas Incorporated (Formerly: OMG Americas) in Franklin, Pennsylvania

On this page:

Cleanup Status
Site Description
Contaminants at this Facility
Institutional/Engineer Controls
Land Reuse
Site Responsibility

Cleanup Status

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility are being performed jointly by EPA Region 3 and PADEP under the One Cleanup Program. OMG is using the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Act 2 Program to investigate and remediate the site and satisfy both agencys’ regulatory requirements.

Following the Act 2 program, OMG has proposed to submit a Final Report to detail remedial actions performed. EPA and PADEP will evaluate this plan, expected to be presented this year, and determine if further remediation is necessary. EPA will assure all actions have been taken to protect human health and the environment.

The "Current Human Exposures Under Control" Environmental Indicator (EI) was completed on January 9, 2003. The EI determination is a status code of “Yes, Under Control.” The information presented in the Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment enabled EPA to complete the EI Determination for "Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Under Control" on September 22, 2008. The EI determination is a status code of “Yes, Under Control."

Cleanup History

EPA and EPA’s contractor conducted an Environmental Indicator (EI) inspection at this facility on June 30, 2000 to determine if RCRA Corrective Action is necessary. Based on this inspection and information submitted by OMG, EPA has determined there are two identifiable releases of concern. One is an area impacted by a release from a leaking mineral spirits transfer pipeline. The pipe was repaired in 1974-1975. The area was remediated and monitoring continues.

The second is an area formerly used to store waste filter cakes. Filter cakes were produced from the filtration of metal carboxylate. These filter cakes were stored on the ground until 1980 when the practiced was halted and contaminated soils were removed. The area is now covered by asphalt.

OMG is using the PADEP Act 2 Program to investigate and remediate the site. A Remedial Investigation Report, which is equivalent to a Site Characterization Report, was received in April, 2004. The results were combined with results obtained from previous investigations. The investigations determined that soils, groundwater, surface water, and sediments were impacted with a combination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile compounds (SVOCs), and/or heavy metals above their respective standards.

A Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment was received on January 16, 2006. The report was reviewed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and technical concerns with the document were listed. Consequently, a notification of withdrawal was provided on OMG’s behalf by Civil and Environmental Consultants on April 21, 2006. PADEP acknowledged receipt of the withdrawal on April 25, 2006. The comments provided were addressed in a modification to the Risk Assessment which was resubmitted in June 2008.

Top of Page

Site Description

Interactive map of Borchers Americas Inc., Franklin, PA

View larger map

The OMG Facility is an approximately 55 acre site located about two miles north of Franklin, Pennsylvania. Manufacturing occupies about half of the property. The Facility is bordered by two small streams; Two Mile Run and Race Run. Both streams flow southeast to the Allegheny River.

OMG Americas is a large quantity generator which manufactures metal carboxylates and inorganic cobalt salts for industrial purposes. The facility also manufactures cobalt salts and non-cadmium type PVC stabilizers. These industrial chemicals are used as paint and ink driers, additives for lubricating oils, catalysts for the chemical and polymer industries, and other uses.

Top of Page

Contaminants at this Facility

Contaminants of concern are combination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile compounds (SVOCs), and/or heavy metals above their respective standards.

Top of Page

Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

On September 19, 2014, OMG recorded an Environmental Covenant on the deed to the Facility with the following requirements and land and groundwater use restrictions:

The Facility shall only be used as “Non Residential Property” as defined in Act 2.
Groundwater at and under the Facility shall not be used for any purpose unless written approval is obtained from the Department [of Environmental Protection] and adequate treatment is provided.
Excavation in the Areas of Concern (AOCs) is prohibited except as is necessary for installation of Facility improvements.
Adherence to the Soil Management Plan is required during excavation activities within the AOCs.
As stated in the Soil Management Plan, a Health and Safety Plan (“HASP”) must be implemented for construction workers during excavation in the AOCs. Excavation and materials handling activities will comply with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
The pavement and building slabs serving as capping for the AOCs shall be inspected annually and any damage to these caps will be repaired within 30 days of being observed.