Metal Etching Company Superfund Site

Metal Etching Company, Inc.
Site Number 130110
Town of Freeport, New York

Cleanup Action to Begin at State Superfund Site

Updated March 2011

Action is about to begin that will address contamination related to the Metal Etching Company, Inc., site ("site") located at 435 South Main Street in the Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, under New York's State (NYS) Superfund Program. See the site location map on page 1 of the Metal Etching Company Cleanup Fact Sheet (PDF) (390 kB).

The cleanup action for the site includes the excavation of contaminated soils, limited excavation of contaminated sediments in Freeport Creek, continued operation of on-site sub-slab depressurization mitigation systems, and continued groundwater monitoring. The cleanup activities will be performed by a remedial contractor, EnviroTrac, Ltd., with oversight provided by the NYSDEC's engineering consultant for this project, EA Engineering P.C. (EA).

To evaluate the contamination present at the site and alternatives to address the significant threat to human health and the environment posed by the presence of hazardous waste, NYSDEC conducted a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study. The NYSDEC completed the State-funded investigation and study in 2005 and a final selection of the cleanup action was made and documented in a March 2007 Record of Decision (PDF) (2.5 MB).

Highlights of the Upcoming Cleanup Activities:

The goal of the cleanup action for the site is to achieve cleanup levels that protect public health and the environment.

The main elements of the remedy include:

Hot spot excavation, to the extent practicable, of contaminated soil to the depth of the groundwater table (from one to approximately five feet below ground surface). Excavated material would be disposed of properly at an off-site facility. Excavated areas will be backfilled with clean soil.
Sediment in the on-site stormwater system will be removed and properly disposed of off-site.
Areas of the site that are not currently covered, and where excavation is not practicable, will receive a cover of stone, asphalt or porous pavement.
A limited sediment removal from Freeport Creek, approximately 170 cubic yards, will be completed under authorization by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
A long-term groundwater monitoring program will be implemented to confirm the effectiveness of the remedy.
Imposition of an institutional control in the form of an environmental easement that will require (a) limiting the use and development of the property to commercial use, which will also permit industrial use, in conformance of local zoning; (b) compliance with the approved site management plan; (c) restricting the use of groundwater as a source of potable or process water, without necessary water quality treatment as determined by NYSDOH; and (d) submission of a periodic certification of institutional and engineering controls to the Department by the property owner.
Development of a site management plan which will include the following institutional and engineering controls: (a) management of the final cover system to restrict excavation below the soil cover's demarcation layer, pavement, or buildings. Excavated soil will be tested, properly handled to protect the health and safety of workers and the nearby community, and will be properly managed in a manner acceptable to the Department; (b) continued evaluation of the potential for vapor intrusion for any buildings developed on the site, including provision for mitigation of any impacts identified; (c) monitoring of soil vapor and groundwater; (d) identification of any use restrictions on the site; and (e) provisions for the continued proper operation and maintenance of the components of the remedy.

Next Steps

The NYSDEC is expected to begin cleanup activities at the site on or about March 1, 2011. These activities are anticipated to take about ten (10) months to complete at a cost of approximately $1,163,000.

Long-term site management by NYSDEC will follow. All construction work will be performed under full-time oversight by, EA, the engineering consultant hired by NYSDEC. In addition, the contractor's Community Protection Plan, for the work was reviewed to ensure that on-site workers and the nearby community are protected during these activities. A copy of that plan has been placed into the document repositories identified below.

During cleanup activities, all truck traffic to and from the site associated with excavation and off-site disposal activities are being limited to non-residential areas as much as practical. Furthermore, the contractor is responsible for keeping the transportation route clean of soil and fill materials generated during site cleanup activities.

After it completes the cleanup activities, NYSDEC will prepare a Final Engineering Report. The Final Engineering Report will describe the cleanup activities completed and certify that cleanup requirements have been achieved or will be achieved.

NYSDEC will keep the public informed during the cleanup of the site by fact sheets issued electronically through the Nassau County listserv.

Background

Based upon groundwater and soil sampling data collected in 2000, the site was listed as a Class "2" site in the State Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites (list of State Superfund sites) in 2001. A Class 2 site represents a significant threat to public health or the environment; action is required.

The Metal Etching site is currently used as a boat dealership, marina, and boat storage yard. Two (2) buildings, a 2,400 sq. ft., maintenance building and a 1,200 sq. ft., office building, occupy the site. In addition to these buildings, a large two-story boat storage rack is located along the southern border of the study area. According to available documents, the Metal Etching Company, Inc., site was used for commercial purposes since sometime prior to 1966. Flores Manufacturing, a producer of handbags, operated at the site until 1966. Flores Manufacturing's handbag production process included decorative plating using nickel, chrome and cadmium. From 1966 to 1999, Metal Etching Company, Inc., manufactured metal nameplates, instrument panels, rulers, and miscellaneous plated products at the site. The process included anodizing, chromate conversion, and chrome/nickel plating. From 1973 to 1982, Metal Etching Company, Inc., operated under the name of Plastic Associates. From 1982 until 1999, the company operated under the Metal Etching Company, Inc. Historically, sanitary and industrial wastewater was disposed of through the sanitary sewer line. Spills and leakage associated with these processes have contaminated on-site soil, groundwater, and sediment. All operations at the facilities were terminated by 1999. Most site buildings were demolished by 2001.

The primary contaminants of concern at this site are metals including chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc, and chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Chemicals that readily evaporate are called "volatile chemicals." Volatile chemicals include volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The metals have contaminated soil and sediment. The VOCs have contaminated the soil, groundwater, and soil gas. The standards, criteria and guidance (SCGs) have been exceeded in soil, groundwater, and sediment.

There are no public water supply wells in the immediate vicinity of the site. The majority of the site is paved, preventing contact with contaminated soil. The potential for soil vapor intrusion into off-site structures has been evaluated, and site-related contamination has not been found to impact off-site structures. In 2005, soil vapor mitigation systems were installed to protect the existing buildings at the site.

The phrase "soil vapor intrusion" refers to the process by which volatile chemicals move from a subsurface source into the indoor air of overlying buildings. Soil vapor, or soil gas, is the air found in the pore spaces between soil particles. Because of a difference in pressure, soil vapor enters buildings through cracks in slabs or basement floors and walls, and through openings around sump pumps or where pipes and electrical wires go through the foundation. Heating, ventilation or air-conditioning systems may create a negative pressure that can draw soil vapor into the building. This intrusion is similar to how radon gas seeps into buildings.

Soil vapor can become contaminated when chemicals evaporate from subsurface sources and enter the soil vapor. Subsurface sources of volatile chemicals may include contaminated soil and groundwater, or buried wastes. If soil vapor is contaminated, and enters a building as described above, indoor air quality may be affected.

Remedial design investigations were performed by the NYSDEC from 2005 through 2010. The remedial design was completed in August 2010. Plans and specifications associated with the implementation of the remedial action were advertised for bid in August 2010 thru October 2010. EnviroTrac Ltd., of Yaphank, New York, was given formal notice to proceed with the cleanup on February 28, 2011.

For More Information

Where to Find Information

Project documents are available at the following locations to help the public to stay informed. These documents include the decision document describing the selected remedy for the site, called the "Record of Decision."

Freeport Memorial Library
144 West Merrick Road
Freeport, NY 11520
(516) 379-3274
Web: www.nassaulibrary.org/freeport

NYSDEC Region 1
50 Circle Road
Stony Brook, NY 11790
Contact: Mr. Walter Parish
(631) 444-0240 (By Appointment)

Whom to Contact

Comments and questions are always welcome and should be directed as follows:

Project Related Questions
David J. Chiusano
Project Manager
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
12th Floor
Albany, New York 12233-7017
(518) 402-9814 E-Mail

Site-Related Health Questions
Sharon McLelland
NYSDOH Flanigan Square, Room 300
547 River Street
Troy, New York 12180-2216
(518) 402-7880

Citizen Participation Specialists
Bill Fonda/Aphrodite Montalvo
NYSDEC Region 1
50 Circle Road
Stony Brook, NY 11790
(631) 444-0350