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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: International Jensen Incorporated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

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Cleanup Status

In October 2012, EPA made the determination that the site meets the Environmental Indicators; Human Exposures Under Control and Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Under Control. EPA is reviewing existing environmental information to determine if further investigation is required. 

Cleanup Background

A Phase I ESA (SECOR, May 2000) indicated the presence of surface staining and ponding in the zinc chromate plating line and recommended subsurface soil investigation to determine whether releases have impacted the environment.  Investigation of soil was also recommended in the location of two former 10,000-gallon heating oil underground storage tanks (USTs) where high concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) had been found.  A Phase II Limited Subsurface Investigation report (SECOR, June 2000) presented the results of an investigation in the plating room area and the locations of the former USTs.

Soil samples were collected within the plating area, and analyzed for eight Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) constituents (arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver), and zinc.  Concentrations of these constituents were considered to be similar to naturally occurring levels in the judgment of SECOR.  The data were evaluated against subsequently promulgated Pennsylvania Act 2 Statewide Health Standards (SWHSs). The comparison to Act 2 standards indicates that the concentrations of these elements were less than the non-residential soil-to-groundwater generic medium-specific concentrations (MSCs).

Soil samples were also collected within the former underground storage tank (UST) area.  The samples were analyzed for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX); polynucleated aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs).  All of the detected BTEX and PAH compounds were at concentrations below the PADEP UST closure Standards for Confirmatory Samples Collected at Closure Site Assessments for site conditions where groundwater has not been encountered.   The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) UST closure standards do not include limits for TPH. Previously (in 1996), PADEP had sent correspondence to the facility stating that no further action was required regarding the UST closure.  A comparison to standards for the soil samples collected during the Phase II Limited Investigation by SECOR confirmed the applicable UST closure standards were met. 

No releases are known to have occurred to the groundwater.  Soil contamination was determined to be below PADEP Act 2 residential soil to groundwater MSCs.    

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Site Description

Interactive map of International Jensen Incorporated, Punxsutawney, PA

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The 13.5 acre site consists of one building (650 feet by 280 feet) that was constructed in 1975 and housed production facilities, warehouse space, and offices, according to the Preliminary Assessment (NUS, 1991).  A plating room was located in the northeastern corner of the building.  A wastewater treatment area and chemical storage were next to the plating room.  A machining area was southwest of the plating room.  An injection molding department, chemistry laboratory, offices, stock room, and warehouses continued southwest of the machining area.  The hazardous waste storage area was a 60 feet by 30 feet, outdoor, fenced concrete pad, northwest of the wastewater treatment area.  The building was surrounded by paved parking lots and driveways. 

In September 2005, CitiCapital sold to North Central Enterprise Inc., who currently leases the facility to two tenants: Argo Industrial Machining (Argo) currently operates a machine shop in the facility, and Triangle, who entered the facility in 2006 and began production of multi-leaf springs on January 12, 2007.  Neither of the two tenants is a hazardous waste generator.

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Contaminants at this Facility

EPA determined that the Human Health Exposures Under Control and the Migration of Contaminated Groundwater Environmental Indicators had been met.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Insitiutional Controls are not inplace at the site.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The site's future use is yet to be determined.

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Site Responsibility at this Facility

RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3 with assistance from PA DEP.

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