jackson ceramics, inc

ROUTE 950

In April 1987, EPA conducted a site inspection of the Jackson Ceramix site. Samples were collected from several areas of concern, including drums, the drainage ditch located adjacent to the site, and the wastewater lagoon. In July 1987, EPA Region 3's Technical Assistance Team performed a removal assessment at the site. In March 1988, additional samples were collected from the site. In January 1989, EPA oversaw the excavation and removal of sludge from the lagoon area and contaminated material from the drainage ditch. The excavated lagoon area was backfilled with clean material, and an 80-foot section of pipe was installed to ensure proper drainage. In 1989, all drums identified on the property were stored in a secured, contained area. On February 10, 1989, EPA’s removal and stabilization activities were completed. In May and June 1991, one off-site and four on-site monitoring wells were installed. In February 1992, a representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expressed concern about the potential threat to migratory birds posed by the lead-contaminated wetlands located near the Jackson Ceramix site. As a result, an expanded site inspection was conducted at the site in March and April 1992. A two-phased interim response was conducted at the former manufacturing facility, under the direction of PADEP, during the periods of December 7, 1998, through February 5, 1999, and April 21, 1999, through July 15, 1999. The response included 1) removal and off-site disposal of asbestos-containing material; 2) excavation and on-site treatment and stabilization of contaminated sludge and soil from 16 sumps, the drainage ditch, and the lagoon; 3) removal and off-site disposal or on-site treatment and stabilization of waste in pits and septic tanks, ceramic manufacturing process materials, construction debris, and staging materials; 4) demolition of two buildings, two kilns, two railroad cars, a chimney stack, and various other structures; 5) relocation of china waste and initial site grading; 6) and construction and re-vegetation of a soil cap over about 12 acres of the property. In August 2001, under the Pennsylvania Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, a pre-design investigation was conducted in the wetland east of the lagoon. The investigation included completion of 154 hand-augured soil borings in the wetland area. The investigation was conducted to assist PADEP to implement the remedial alternative selected from a feasibility study for the wetland area. Based on the analytical results reported from these samples, it was determined that approximately 13 to 24 acres of the wetland that received drainage from the Jackson Ceramix site, contain lead greater than 1,000 parts per million (ppm). In May 2005, EPA decided to perform further assessment of the site to address approximately 20 acres of lead-contaminated wetlands and to investigate groundwater, soil, and air migration pathways on the entire site, including former plant area. In September 2005, Jackson Ceramix was listed on the National Priorities List of most hazardous waste sites, making it eligible for federal funding for cleanup. In July 2009, EPA completed a field investigation of the areas located west of the railroad track and potentially impacted by the former plant. In February 2010, EPA started the investigation of wetlands. In the fall of 2010, EPA collected soil, surface water, and ecological samples and installed new monitoring wells in the wetlands. In late 2014 EPA conducted field sampling for the RI. The sampling will continue into early 2015 when it is expected to be completed.

Hazardous Ranking Score

30 / 100

A score of 28.5 or higher qualifies a site for the Superfund National Priority List.

Regional Contact

Region 3
Within the region: (800) 438-2474
Outside the region: (215) 814-5000

Contact Region

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Timeline

Discovery
Site Inspection
Preliminary Assessment
Final Listing On NPL
Removal

Contaminants & Health Effects

      Carcinogen
      Endocrine Disrupter
      Neurotoxic
      Sensitiser
      Reproductive Toxin
      Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic
      VOC
      Mutagen

        Census

        White
        African American
        Asian
        American Indian and Alaska Native
        Native Hawaiian
        Other

        1,251

        People living
        within a 1 mile radius

        $44,436

        Average Income

        545

        Occupied homes

        Potentially Responsible Parties

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