Village of Endicott Vapor Migration Project Fact Sheet - April 10, 2003

Public Information Session

Fact Sheet Abstract - Groundwater Vapor Project

Presence of contaminant vapors - Vapors are present in buildings above the off-site area with the highest detected levels of groundwater contaminants (bounded by Madison, Monroe, McKinley and North Streets). IBM has notified affected parties of the presence, or likely presence, of vapors in building basements and will install ventilation systems beneath the buildings.
Further soil gas sampling - IBM has been collecting additional samples from within, beneath and outside of representative buildings between Monroe Street and the Susquehanna River. Sampling of all potentially affected areas should be completed by May 2003. IBM has agreed to install ventilation systems in buildings where vapor migration from contaminants in the groundwater has caused a discernible impact on indoor air.

Purpose

You are invited to attend a public information session on Thursday, April 10, 2003 at the Union Presbyterian Church, 200 East Main Street, Endicott, NY, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. regarding the ongoing IBM Groundwater Vapor Project. You may come at any time during these hours. Representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Broome County Health Department and IBM Corporation will be on hand to provide an update on project activities, findings to date, and next steps. Those living in the vicinity of the former IBM facility are encouraged to attend.

Background

In the past, IBM used certain solvents in manufacturing operations at its former Endicott facility. Those solvents are no longer used at the facility. Historically, as a result of leaks and spills, some of the solvents entered the soil and groundwater located 18 feet to 30 feet below the ground surface. Since 1980, IBM has been cleaning up and monitoring the contaminants that have entered the groundwater at its former plant.

Contaminant levels in the groundwater are highest in the facility manufacturing area along the railroad between Watson Boulevard and North Street. The contamination decreases in concentration as groundwater moves slowly underground toward the Susquehanna River. IBM has an on-going groundwater cleanup program. Options for accelerating that cleanup program are currently being evaluated.

Since the Fall of 2002, IBM has been assessing the degree to which vapors from the contaminants in the groundwater are moving upward through the soil and into buildings. Results provided to the State in early 2003 indicate that vapors from groundwater are present in buildings in the area bounded by Madison, Monroe, McKinley and North Streets. Those buildings sit above the area with the highest detected levels of contaminants in the off-site groundwater plume. IBM has notified the affected parties of the presence, or likely presence, of the vapors in building basements and has begun a program to install ventilation systems beneath the buildings. The ventilation systems are designed to intercept these contaminant vapors before they enter the buildings.

Upcoming Activities

IBM has been collecting additional samples from within, beneath and outside of representative buildings in an area between Monroe Street and the Susquehanna River. Sampling of all potentially affected areas should be completed by May 2003. Sampling in these representative buildings is contingent on having the owner's permission.

The fact that you are asked for permission to test your property, or that vapors are detected in your building, does not mean that your indoor air is necessarily impacted by the IBM groundwater plume. The sampling program has been designed to distinguish the presence of contaminants associated with the IBM groundwater plume from those associated with materials commonly found in homes and commercial buildings, and in background air. IBM has agreed to install ventilation systems in all buildings where it is concluded that vapor migration from contaminants in the groundwater has caused a discernible impact on indoor air. Sampling results should be available 5 to 6 weeks after sample collection and will be provided with an explanation to those whose buildings are sampled.

Even though IBM recently sold the property, IBM will continue to be responsible for this work under New York State Environmental Conservation Law.