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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: TE Connectivity Building 108 in Landisville, Pennsylvania

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Cleanup Status

Based on the groundwater and soil investigation, EPA has determined that the Facility has met the environmental indicators for current human exposures under control and migration of contaminated groundwater under control (i.e., there is no contamination problem that creates an unacceptable risk to human health nor is there any evidence of groundwater contamination caused by the Facility) on August 26, 2014.

EPA concluded that there are no current or unaddressed releases of hazardous wastes or hazardous constituents from the Facility. On September 16, 2014, EPA published a public notice in the local newspaper on the proposed decision of no further action or land use controls are necessary at the Facility at this time. EPA did not receive any comments that required a change in the proposed decision. Therefore, the proposed decision becomes final.  On January 20, 2015, EPA issued a Final Decision and Response to Comments (FDRTC) of “Corrective Action Complete without Controls” for the Facility. EPA has determined that the FDRTC is protective of human health and the environment.

Cleanup Background

In 1995, TE Connectivity (TD) conducted a Baseline Environmental Site Assessment (BESA) at the facility to assess the general environmental condition of the property and to identify and evaluate any potential environmental concerns associated with the site. The assessment consisted of an environmental information survey, site reconnaissance and field investigation. 

The environmental information survey mainly consisted of a comprehensive review of all obtainable files about the site. This includes the review of federal, state, and municipal records, available internal files and site physical data such as topography and aerial photographs. The site reconnaissance comprised of a walk-through to document and assess general environmental conditions at the site. The Facility procured several sub slab corings, soil and groundwater samples as part of the field investigation to confirm the environmental conditions.

The environmental information survey and site reconnaissance did not reveal any potential environmental concerns. The field investigation evaluated sub slab corings, soils and groundwater at the facility. Six sub slab corings and several soil boring were installed throughout the site. The corings and soil boring samples were visually inspected and screened for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hydrogen cyanide. Several soil samples were procured at various depths for each boring location. TE procured multiple groundwater samples over a span of several years at various locations and depths to assess the groundwater conditions at the site.  Soil and groundwater samples were analyzed for VOCs, semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), total phenols, cyanide and heavy metals. 

The presence of low concentrations of VOCs, SVOCs and heavy metals were detected in the sub slab corings and soils at the site. Heavy metal results for the soil samples and the sub slab corings were below EPA risk based residential standards or natural background levels. None of the VOCs, SVOCs, total phenols and cyanide constituents detected in soils and corings exceeded the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Residential Direct Contact Medium-Specific Concentrations (MSCs) or EPA allowable risk range for direct contact for residential land use. Initially, low levels of tetrachloroethene (PCE) and 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) were detected above the EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), a level EPA determined to be protective for human health, in one of the monitoring wells. The levels detected for PCE and 1,2-DCA were 16 ug/L and 6 ug/L, respectively. Subsequent groundwater sample results for PCE and 1,2-DCA were non-detects or below MCLs and confirmed that these constituents do not pose a concern in groundwater. No other VOCs were detected in groundwater. Similarly, no SVOCs, heavy metals, cyanide, and total phenols were detected in groundwater.

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Site Description

Interactive Map of TE Connectivity Building 108 in Landisville, Pennsylvania


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The Facility encompasses approximately 7.5acres and is located within an area that is primarily rural/residential and farmland with some light commercial/industrial uses intermixed. The Facility mainly consists of a 64,000 square foot manufacturing building and a 17,000 cubic foot retention pond that receives surface water runoff via underground piping from storm sewers located throughout the property. 

TE manufactures electronic and electrical connection devices for consumers and the automotive industry. Processes conducted at the Facility include stamping of copper and copper alloys into terminals and connectors, brazing a portion of the connectors, heat treating parts and electroplating the surface of the connectors and terminals with nickel, tin, tin-lead, copper, or gold. Processes also include machining, baking, parts assembly, and packaging.

The Facility is classified as a large quantity generator (LQG) of hazardous wastes. Wastes currently generated from the Facility’s operations consist of primarily spent non-halogenated solvents and wastes produced from the electroplating process. Spent non-halogenated solvents, electroplating sludges and other manufacturing wastes are sent offsite for disposal. Wastewaters from the electroplating and any miscellaneous spills are directed to the onsite wastewater treatment system (WWTS) for treatment. Treated water is discharged to the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (LASA) Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). The remaining filtered sludges from the wastewater treatment are disposed offsite at permitted facilities. 

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Contaminants at this Facility

No contaminants above levels of concern exist at the facility.

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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

The site is being reused.

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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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