July 2006 Former Smith Corona Facility Fact Sheet
Announcing Two Public Information Sessions
Date: August 2, 2006 (Wednesday)
Location: Cortland Fire Department, 999 Route 13, Cortland, New York
Session 1: Public Availability, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
and
Session 2: Public Meeting, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Introduction
On August 2, 2006, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Cortland County Health Department will host two public informational sessions to update the public on the current environmental investigations near NYS Route 13 and Lime Hollow Road in Cortlandville.
In the afternoon, representatives from state and local health and environmental agencies will be available to discuss individual sampling results, answer specific questions, or talk one-on-one with members of the community during the Public Availability Session. A formal presentation will be given during the scheduled evening Public Meeting, followed by a question and answer session. The public is invited to attend the afternoon session and/or the evening public meeting.
Background
The former Smith Corona manufacturing facility is located near the intersection of NYS Route 13 and Lime Hollow Road in Cortlandville. Under the terms of a 1989 Settlement Agreement between the State of New York and Smith Corona Corporation, the company performed an environmental investigation, removed contaminated soil and installed environmental treatment systems to address the contamination. Smith Corona also funded public water lines to the affected off-site area, and a long-term groundwater monitoring study administered by the Cortland County Health Department. The long-term monitoring data indicate that concentrations of TCE in the groundwater in the area remain slightly above New York State standards for drinking water.
Vapor Intrusion Evaluation
As noted in a prior fact sheet you received, soil vapor or soil gas is the air found in the pore spaces between soil particles. Volatile compounds like TCE can, through a process called vapor intrusion, migrate from the contaminated groundwater as a vapor and move through subsurface soils and into the indoor air of overlying buildings in ways similar to that of radon gas seeping into homes. Indoor air is affected by vapor intrusion when volatile chemicals in soil gas form beneath a building and are drawn through cracks and openings in the foundation and mix with the indoor air. This vapor intrusion pathway may be important for buildings both with and without a basement.
This past heating season the NYSDEC and the NYSDOH, in conjunction with the Cortland County Health Department, conducted an investigation (see Study Area Figure) to determine if TCE or other volatile compounds are entering homes. Numerous vapor probes were inserted into the ground along roads in your neighborhood. Soil vapor samples taken from these probes were analyzed for volatile organic compounds to better define the areas where vapor intrusion may be taking place. Subsequently, with permission from homeowners, soil vapor and air samples were collected by New York State contractors from inside individual homes in those locations that warranted detailed study. The samples were sent to private, independent laboratories where they were analyzed for volatile organic compounds.
Mitigation and Monitoring
Based on the findings of the investigations, some property owners will be offered a vapor intrusion mitigation system (similar to radon systems) to reduce existing or potential exposures associated with the vapor intrusion pathway. Mitigation systems will be installed by qualified contractors working under State oversight. There will be no cost to the property owner for installation. Other homeowners will be offered an opportunity to have their home sampled during the next heating season to better understand whether vapor intrusion is occurring at their home. Many of the structures will require no further action
Next Steps
During the next year, the State will continue the investigation and sampling to determine the nature and extent of the vapor contamination and what, if any, additional work and mitigation is necessary for the area. This will include additional groundwater, air and in-home sampling as well as installation of mitigation systems and appropriate corrective measures.
For More Information
You can learn more about vapor migration at: Vapor Intrusion Guidance
You may view project documents at:
Cortland Free Library
32 Church Street
Cortland, New York
Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Any questions or concern regarding the investigation can be addressed by contacting Ms. Diane Carlton of the NYSDEC at (315) 426-7403, or by calling, toll free, 1-800-388-8223.
For health-related concerns regarding this site, please contact Ms. Henri Hamel of the NYSDOH at (315) 477-8154.
