No 'Immediate Risk' from Raymark Superfund Site

The groundwater near a former metal fabrication company contains four times the level of contaminants allowed in drinking water, yet the Environmental Protection Agency told Hatboro Borough Council and residents, “it’s not an immediate risk.”

And, just to make sure, Jose Redmond, EPA’s remedial project manager, said further testing of wells on Bonair Avenue would be carried out in late August. Those results, which he said are expected by the fall, would determine if additional vapor intrusion testing in homes and buildings near the seven-acre Raymark superfund site – on Jacksonville Road - is necessary.

Vapor intrusion, according to a fact sheet provided during Monday night’s borough council meeting, involves the movement of vapors, such as tricholoroethene, a metal degreaser, from the groundwater and soil into buildings.

“It should give us enough information to know if we’re going to go into the house,” Redmond said of the testing, which would involve isolating a specific area where contamination is thought to be most prevalent. Redmond said after the meeting that it was “too soon to tell” how many adjacent properties were at risk for vapor intrusion.

Councilman John Zygmont suggested that the test area be larger.

“This groundwater is moving farther out,” he said.

Cathleen Kennedy, EPA community involvement coordinator, said contaminants are diluted as they travel farther away from the site. She also pointed out that since remediation of the superfund site began, EPA has treated more than 525 million gallons of water contaminated with trichloroethene, or TCE.

TCE was first detected in the site’s groundwater in 1979. By 1983 it was placed on the national priority list, making it eligible for federal cleanup.

The most recent round of tests followed the EPA’s five-year review conducted in 2008, which determined that a vapor intrusion evaluation for volatile organic compounds was necessary for public safety.

EPA officials said progress on that initiative stalled until earlier this month, when tests were conducted. With the project now back on track, Alexander Mandell, EPA community involvement coordinator, urged the community to reach with questions or concerns.

“We really want you to be a part of this process,” Mandell said. “It’s important for us to hear your voice.”