Waste Site Cleanup & Reuse in New England
Universal Steel & Trading Corporation Site
In 2009, the City of Salem requested EPA assistance to conduct a removal site evaluation of the Universal Steel & Trading Corporation Site on Bridge Street. EPA conducted the evaluation and discovered Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and metal contamination in the soil on site. From 2009-2012, a multi agency team was formed to assess the remediation options for the site. The team consisted of EPA, City of Salem, Mass DEP and Mass Development.
As a result of the partnership, the team agencies were able to locate appropriate funding to conduct the following tasks sequentially: remove the hazardous substances from the former corrugated steel building, demolish the corrugated steel building, install perimeter fencing and secure the remaining warehouse building, demolish and remove the warehouse building and excavate and remove the PCB/metal contaminated soils from the site.
EPA mobilized to the Site in December 2012, and plans to spend approximately 3 months working to remove the contaminated soil from the Universal Steel Site. EPA and contractors will be excavating and stockpiling soil on site under plastic covers until it is ready to be trucked to an appropriate hazardous waste facility. EPA will be monitoring the air at the perimeter of the site to ensure no contaminated material leaves the site.
Location: Salem, MA
Start date: 10/02/2012
End date: Ongoing
Contact: Emily Zimmerman (zimmerman.emily@epa.gov), Community Involvement Coordinator, 617-908-1037