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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Sapa Extrusions Incorporated (Alcoa Extrusions) in Cressona, Pennsylvania

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Cleanup Status

The final decision of Corrective Action Complete without Controls became effective September 29, 2014, after a 30-day public comment period.  No further action under the Corrective Action Program is required to make the Sapa property suitable for any type of land use; however, future controls on this property and/or further remediation of poly-chlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) contamination may be required in accordance with the existing Consent Decree under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

EPA’s Corrective Action program and the US Army Corps of Engineers evaluated this facility, beginning with a site inspection on April 10, 2002.  Several solid waste management units and potential sources of contamination were evaluated.  After a review of the data collected, EPA determined that the facility meets both environmental indicators.

EPA requested groundwater sampling in 2011 for contaminants other than PCBs to determine whether historic impacts from other contaminant sources had occurred.  All volatile organic compounds and metals analyzed in this sampling event were below levels of concern.

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Site Description

Interactive Map of Sapa Extrusions Incorporated, Cressona, PA


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The facility is located in Cressona, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.  In 1993, EPA resolved concerns over soil contamination with PCBs at the site with the signing of two agreements with Alcoa.  Basically, these two agreements required Alcoa to investigate and remediate several areas of the plant that had been contaminated with PCBs as a result of routine handling of hydraulic oils that found their way into the waste water treatment system.  EPA’s Corrective Action program has concluded that these issues have been largely resolved, and that plant conditions and current activities represent no threat to human health or local groundwater.

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Contaminants at this Facility

Primary contaminants include PCBs that were historical components of the hydraulic and electrical equipment used at the facility. PCB contamination was spread throughout the facility primarily through hydraulic oil leaks that were collected in the facility drain system and treated in the Oily Waste Treatment Plant. Remediation of the facility under TSCA is largely complete. Remaining areas of contamination either have very low likelihood of exposure (i.e. are in inaccessible or unoccupied areas of the facility), or work practices have been implemented to reduce worker exposure to contamination. No other exposures or receptors to PCB contamination from the facility are expected.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional Controls were not required at the facility. 

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

Sapa continues to use the property in the production of aluminum ingots, billets, slabs, and other value-added aluminum products for various industries.

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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.

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