Superfund Site Information
October, 2006
Michael Levin, Ph.D., F.A.A.A.S., a Havertown resident and activist for the conditions at the Havertown Superfund Site is asking all township residents to notify their Commissioners to contact the EPA regarding the Superfund Site and its effect on our quality of life. This is an issue that crosses township boundaries. Dr.Levin has graciously given permission to post his comments here.
|
SUPERFUND SITE: MOVING FORWARD
1. Freedom of Information Request for documentation regarding an exact copy of the letters with proof of mailing and request of return receipt to Haverford Township Commissioners inviting their participation in the August 2005, 5-year review as cited on page 11 of the report.
2. Freedom of Information Request for methods of determining, identification with proof of and access to all documents, maps, pictures, other evidence of or conjecture about an on-site well in the ground of the Havertown PCP site into which wood preserver waste of chemical components and carrier such as but not limited to diesel oil was placed, injected or poured either intentionally or accidentally. (If such a well is not verified or is based upon hearsay, this should be clearly identified and stated)
3. Comparison with another similar wood preserver site, Federal Creosote, illustrates a soil removal action worth $45M plus another $150M to clean up about 35 ac. There was also a buyout of some contaminated residential properties under the Uniform Relocation Act. (Havertown PCP will receive a total of $20M after which the site will be turned over to State of PA control by or before 2013). This is a federal-state action for which, like Havertown, there is not yet a Principal Responsible Party
4. Serious Questions have arisen at a contaminated chromium waste site in Jersey City whether chromium waste should have been capped or should the contaminated soil be removed making for final unresolved action.
5. Further Serious Questions have been brought forward about another site where fill contaminated with chromium waste was deposited in Weehawken, New Jersey. Here, the argument centers upon allowable levels of chromium VI, an established carcinogen. While NJ sets a level of 240ppm, Maryland is 30ppm and Oregon is 23ppm; lower values are safer. Capping of this site is considered stopgap by soil scientists. Irony would have it that millions could be paid for land or structures on a contaminated site, affecting higher as well as lower income levels.