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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Sensient Colors Incorporated in Gibraltar, Pennsylvania

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Cleanup Status

A Final Decision and Response to Comments was finalized and signed on March 19, 2007, indicating the final remedy decision for Sensient Technical Colors is "Corrective Action Complete with Controls." This decision was based primarily on the December 6, 1999 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) approval of the Act 2 final report that was submitted on October 5, 1999. The final report demonstrated attainment of the site specific standard, which means there are onsite locations that contain contaminants in subsurface areas above acceptable standards but below calculated risk based values particular to this site. Included in the final report was the proposed deed restriction which required notice to the deed upon the approval date.

The specific requirements of the deed restriction state that:
a. The use of the property shall be restricted to non-residential uses only.
b. Shallow groundwater at the Property shall not be used for potable purposes or in any other manner which could increase the risk of exposure to contaminants by humans or the environment without the express approval of PADEP.

EPA recently discussed with the facility the need to prepare an environmental covenant as per PADEP policy where deed restrictions accompany Act 2 approvals. Additionally, the discussion included EPA's desire to include property latitude and longitude coordinates to allow mapping through Google Earth on our website. EPA expects the facility to begin these tasks in the near future.

Cleanup Background

On November 1, 2001 EPA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and representative from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) conducted an Environmental Indicators investigation to determine current environmental conditions at Sensient Colors, Inc.

The areas of concern at this site were: the Former Burn Pit/ Sump Area which was determined to be the source of contamination at and downgradient of Surface Impoundment, the Remediated Area (former waste disposal lagoon and environs), and the Wetland Area.

Warner Jenkinson had been working with PADEP through the Act 2 program to identify contamination and remediate the site. Warner Jenkinson submitted a Final Report under Act 2 to PADEP on October 5, 1999 showing that, based on a site-specific risk assessment, contamination at the site was not a risk to human health or the environment. PADEP approved the final report and granted Warner Jenkinson a release of liability on December 7, 1999.

EPA has evaluated the data gathered during the inspection and submitted by Warner Jenkinson and determined that both the Human Exposure and Groundwater Environmental Indicators have been met.

Production ended in August 2003 and future plans by Sensient are unknown for this site. An inspection was performed by PADEP and found numerous drums stored in a warehouse that need to be removed prior to an approved closure of the facility by the state.

PADEP received the certifications for the clean closure of impoundments 3 and 4a and the capping closure of 4b in accordance with their permit. They received the certifications on October 18, 2005. A site visit was conducted at the Sensient facility located in Gibraltar, Pennsylvania on April 11, 2006. The removal of the drums was verified and the only remaining items in the warehouse were bags/pallets of seed, fertilizer, and other material used for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the vegetative cover for the impoundment. Inspection of Impoundments 3 & 4a confirmed that they were no longer in use. Additionally, visual inspection confirmed the closure of impoundment 4b to be complete.

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Site Description

Interactive map of Sensient Colors Incorporated, Gibraltar, PA

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The Warner Jenkinson Facility is located 2529 Main Street, approximately one mile east of the town of Gibraltar and five miles southeast of Reading, in Robeson Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. The approximately 140-acre site is bordered on the north by the Schuylkill River. Warner Jenkinson used about 30 acres of the property to manufacture dyes. Operations ceased in August 2003. The rest of the property is not developed but a large portion was found to be leased and used for agricultural purposes.

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Contaminants at this Facility

The areas of concern at this site were: the Former Burn Pit/ Sump Area which was determined to be the source of contamination at and downgradient of Surface Impoundment, the Remediated Area (former waste disposal lagoon and environs), and the Wetland Area. The final EPA report demonstrated attainment of the site specific standard, which means there are onsite locations that contain contaminants in subsurface areas above acceptable standards but below calculated risk based values particular to this site.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Sensient has Institutional Controls in their deed restrictions document (refer to "Additional Site Information" section) which include :
a. The use of the property shall be restricted to non-residential uses only.
b. Shallow groundwater at the Property shall not be used for potable purposes or in any other manner which could increase the risk of exposure to contaminants by humans or the environment without the express approval of PADEP.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The site is currently unused.

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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 with assistance from PADEP.

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