TIMELIN E 197 9 SITE INSPECTIO N 1982

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TIMELIN E 197 9 SITE INSPECTIO N 1982 EPA test results show heavy metals

TIMELIN E 197 9 SITE INSPECTIO N 1982 EPA test results show heavy metals in ground and surface water 1979 Site Discovery 1983 EPA places the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) NP L Ford identified four areas for potential remediation; three were designated disposal areas and the fourth was suspected due to lack of vegetation during preliminary site survey. EPA’s Environmental Photographic Interpretation Center issued analysis to support site investigation, but EPA site managers did not take advantage of aerial photography, and could only speculate about locations of potential disposal sites. EPA requested information. Ford submitted incomplete documents and did not submit required information about hazardous substances disposed. EPA did not follow up or enforce. 1984 EPA identified Ford as a potential liable party for site contamination 1984 Ford conducts initial site investigation STUDY OF REMEDIA L OPTIONS 1984 1987 EPA asked Ford to assess risk associated with contamination 1988 EPA issued a record of decision (ROD) ROD provides a long-term monitoring program. EPA believed Ford had complied with orders to remove all contaminants and issued a “no further action remedy, ” which included a monitoring program. ROD 1989 EPA instructed Ford to perform long-term monitoring REMEDIATIO N The first year yielded acceptable test results. EPA and Ford agreed to reduce number of wells tested and substances/chemicals tested for in potable and ground water. Ford discontinued surface water monitoring because no pollutants exceeded acceptable levels. EPA approved. “In 1969 alone. . . the. Mahwah factorygenerated 84, 000 cubic yards of waste, including 1. 3 million gallons of paint sludge. That’s enough waste to fill 25 Olympic swimming pools. ” - Jan Barry, Reporter for The Record 1990 Ford removed an additional 600 cubic yards of waste 1993 EPA published a Notice of Intent of Deletion from the NPL Detection of contaminants in ground water was sporadic and inconsistent, and no contamination was detected migrating from the site. There are no records showing EPA notified public of intention to delist and no 30 day public comment period. 1994 EPA deleted the Site from the NPL 1998 EPA conducted its first 5 -year review for the Site They did notify the community of the review or its results. EPA concluded the site was “protective of human health and the environment. ” 2001 Ford released its final long-term monitoring report They recommended discontinuing the monitoring program. Sample results from wells that showed sporadic levels of arsenic and lead above acceptable levels between 1990 -1995 were tested again and levels were shown to be “protective of human health and the environment. ” 2003 EPA issued an addendum to the 1998 5 -Year Review 2004 Renewed interest in the site 2004 Ford initiated removal actions in December and removed over 24, 000 tons of waste. Due to renewed interest in the site, Ford turned over documents not included during the initial request of 1983. 2005 Toxic Legacy Series is published in The Record 2005 EPA issued orders to Ford and the Borough for further Site Investigation 2006 NP L 2006 EPA restored the Site to the NPL “The chemical cocktail that makes up Ford Motor Company paint sludge is a 20 th century wonder, a new compound that in some ways defies reason, for even the volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) that ought to have long ago dissipated when exposed to the air remain trapped inside the hardened sludge, waiting to release gas as much as fifty years later. ” - Chuck Stead, Ph. D Environmental Studies