Village of Endicott Vapor Migration Project Fact Sheet - July 2003

Vapor Migration Project Update

Fact Sheet Abstract

Contaminant vapor mitigation - More than 100 mitigation systems have been installed to intercept IBM-related contaminant vapors before they enter buildings. The agencies estimate that 85 to 95 percent of the buildings needing mitigation systems have now been identified. The assessment program will continue through next year; it is estimated that 500 buildings may receive mitigation systems.
Area-wide investigation - Data indicate vapor contaminant sources in addition to those related to IBM. The principal contaminant found is tetrachloroethene (PERC or PCE). The agencies will evaluate whether there are impacts to indoor air in buildings near the source areas for these contaminants.

Purpose

The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide an update on recent project developments in the Endicott area. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York State Department of Health and the Broome County Health Department (collectively referred to as the agencies hereafter) have been coordinating with representatives from IBM, local officials, and the public to address solvent vapors detected in soil and buildings.

Background

Since the fall of 2002, there has been an extensive effort to assess impacts associated with migration of contaminant vapors from the groundwater through the soil and into buildings in the Village of Endicott and the Town of Union. As part of that assessment, IBM implemented the agencies' approved work plan; collecting vapor samples from within, beneath and outside of 233 buildings throughout the study area. IBM has notified affected parties of the presence, or likely presence, of the vapors in building basements and has begun a program to install mitigation systems beneath the buildings where necessary. It is estimated that a total of 500 buildings may receive mitigation systems. The mitigation systems are designed to intercept contaminant vapors before they enter the building. To date, more than 100 mitigation systems have been installed in buildings. The agencies estimate that 85 to 95 % of the buildings, which need mitigation systems to intercept the IBM-related contaminants have now been identified. Those that remain to be identified are in areas where the concentrations of IBM-related contaminants in the soil gas, and in the indoor air, are low. The assessment program will continue through next year in order to identify all of the properties in the study area at which mitigation systems will be needed.

Data collected during the extensive on-going investigation indicate there are vapor contaminant sources in addition to those related to IBM. Tetrachloroethene (PERC or PCE) is the primary contaminant that appears to be from other sources and has been observed in groundwater and soil gas at higher than expected concentrations. PERC is used primarily in the dry cleaning industry but can also be found in some consumer products. The amount of PERC found in most homes and businesses tested is low and is similar to what is typically found in indoor air in buildings (also called "background"). The New York State Department of Health has published a fact sheet (http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/environ/btsa/fs_perc.htm) titled Tetrachloroethene (PERC) in Indoor and Outdoor Air (May 2003) that is available at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library. The PERC fact sheet can help answer questions about the chemical PERC, common household sources, air levels typically found in buildings, and possible health effects from exposure to PERC in air. The agencies are currently evaluating the impacts associated with these additional sources. While remediation of the suspected source area may be warranted, the agencies do not, at this time, anticipate the need to install mitigation systems in buildings near the PERC source areas because the amounts of PERC in indoor are low and are consistent with levels typically found in buildings. There will be an ongoing assessment of the PERC contamination to understand the sources, potential human exposure pathways, and environmental impacts.

Upcoming Activities

The agencies will continue to work with IBM to identify and install mitigation systems in buildings where IBM-related contaminants have impacted indoor air. The agencies will also be expanding the scope of their evaluation to develop an appropriate response to the presence of vapor source areas not related to IBM, and to evaluate whether there are impacts to indoor air in buildings near those source areas. The agencies are currently planning a public meeting for late-July to provide a more detailed update on the status of these issues.