Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Tube Methods Incorporated in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
In 2011, the Facility demolished and closed out a former chemical storage building. As part of the closure, Tube Methods procured several subsurface soil samples beneath the building. The initial soil results identified the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), specifically tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), above the Pennsylvania Statewide Health Standards for a residential used aquifer. As a result, Tube Methods in collaboration with the EPA expanded its investigation under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Act 2 Land Recycling Program (Act 2) to investigate and delineate the extent of VOCs contamination in soil and groundwater.
Tube Methods installed multiple soil borings between 11 to 22 feet below ground surface (bgs) in the vicinity of the former chemical storage building and beneath the current machine shop to delineate the extent of the soil contamination. The soil results indicate several areas of impacts in and around the former chemical storage building. Additional soil samples will be collected in the machine shop to delineate the extent of soil contamination beneath the building. The Facility will excavate and dispose the contaminated soil in the impact areas.
Fourteen shallow wells were installed onsite and offsite of the Facility to delineate the extent of the groundwater contamination. Groundwater flow is to the north of the facility towards the Schuylkill River. Initial rounds of groundwater sampling indicated that the majority of groundwater contamination plume is contained within and close proximity of the Facility. At a minimum several more rounds of groundwater sampling are needed to better assess the dynamics (remains stationary or migrating) of the groundwater contamination plume. Tube Methods will continue to conduct quarterly groundwater sampling until sufficient data are procured to make this determination. Tube Methods will install a deep bedrock well near the source area to determine the vertical extent of the groundwater contamination. There are no direct exposures to the groundwater contamination. Residents in the area are connected to public water.
On September 28, 2018, EPA determined that Environmental Indicators for Human Exposures and Groundwater Migration were under control.
Site Description
Interactive map of Tube Methods Incorporated, Bridgeport, PA
View larger mapThe Tube Methods is a 2.25 acre facility located at 416 Depot Street in Bridgeport, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. The facility is located approximately 1,500 feet south of the Schuylkill River. Land use within a mile radius of the facility consists of commercial, residential, and industrial properties.
Since 1941, the Facility customizes stainless steel tubing, copper tubing, nickel-based alloy, and cobalt-based alloy tubing for use by the aerospace and gauge industries. The interior and exterior diameters of the stock tubes are reduced to meet customer specifications. The manufacturing process consists of cold drawing, annealing, degreasing, alkaline cleaning, and acid pickling.
Contaminants at this Facility
Contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), specifically tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE).
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
The need for Institutional Controls is yet to be determined.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site is under continued use.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of PADEP with assistance from EPA Region 3.