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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: SKF USA Incorporated in Altoona, Pennsylvania

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Cleanup Status

Based on the work completed at the Facility including removal of contaminated soil and several groundwater investigations, the selected remedy at the facility is the implementation of institutional controls to prohibit residential use of the Facility and to prohibit drinking and agricultural use of the groundwater at the facility unless approval is obtained from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP). EPA's final Decision of Corrective Action Complete with Controls for the Facility became effective on November 10, 2008. The Facility received a release of liability from PADEP through Pennsylvania's Act 2 program on July 3, 2008. The Final Remedy requires implementation of institutional controls.

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Site Description

Interactive map of SKF USA Incorporated, Altoona, PA

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The SKF USA Inc. (SKF) facility was a bearing-manufacturing facility located south of the intersection of Logan Boulevard and Plank Road in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The facility manufacturing processes included machining, heat treating, grinding, honing, assembling, and packaging. Operations at this facility began in 1952 and ended in 2006. The property consists of two parcels, Parcel One and Parcel Two. Parcel Two (approximately 3.66) is currently occupied by the Five Star Suzuki car dealer. Parcel One (approximately 15.13 acres) that was used for bearing -manufacturing facility has been sold to a developer. SKF retained its environmental cleanup responsibility.

Primary contaminants at the facility included trchloroethane (TCA) and trichloroethene (TCE) in soil and groundwater. As volatile organic compounds, TCA and TCE have the potential to migrate from groundwater in the vapor phase and impact indoor air quality. EPA terms this phenomenon "vapor intrusion" and all Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) cleanups require an evaluation of this pathway. A vapor intrusion risk assessment conducted by SKF revealed that the levels of indoor vapor are below Act 2 standards. Other potential exposures to Facility contaminants have been eliminated by requiring institutional controls that prohibit groundwater use and restrict the Facility property to non-residential purposes.

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Contaminants at this Facility

Primary contaminants at the facility included trchloroethane (TCA) and trichloroethene (TCE) in soil and groundwater.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional /Engineering Control Summary
Restrictions or Controls that Address: Yes No
Groundwater Use
 
X
Residential Use
X
 
Excavation
 
X
Vapor Intrusion
 
X
Capped Area(s)
 
X
Other Engineering Controls
 
X
Other Restrictions
 
X

    Institutional Controls , enforceable through an Environmental Convenat are:

    • Groundwater at or under the property shall not be used for any drinking or agricultural purpose.
    • The property is used solely for non-residental purposes.

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    Land Reuse Information at this Facility

    The facility is being reused.

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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.

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