Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Esstech Inc (Formerly: Scott Paper Company Research Annex) in Essington, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
The EPA determined the Environmental Indicator for Current Human Exposures Under Control was completed on January 31, 2017. Also, the EPA determined the Environmental Indicator for Current Migration of Groundwater Under Control was completed on June 21, 2016.
On April 16, 2024, EPA Region 3 issued a proposed remedy Statement of Basis for Corrective Action at the SJS Linde LP (Formerly Scott Paper Company Research Annex) Facility. EPA’s proposed remedy consists of natural attenuation for groundwater and implementation of both land and groundwater use restrictions through an enforceable mechanism, such as an Environmental Covenant, to control exposure to contaminated soil and groundwater. The public notice for the proposed remedy was published for a 30-day comment period beginning on April 16, 2024, and ended on May 16, 2024. The EPA did not receive any comments on the proposed remedy during the public comment period; therefore, the Final Remedy is unchanged from the proposed remedy. The Corrective Action Final Decision and Response to Comments was published on June 17, 2024.
Cleanup Background
In August 1980, Scott Paper Company filed a Notification of Hazardous Waste Activity Form with the EPA and re-filed in October 1980. In November 1980, Scott Paper Company submitted a Part A Hazardous Waste Permit Application (Part A) to the EPA. Based on the information provided by Scott Paper Company, the EPA determined that Scott Paper Company met the RCRA requirements for interim status and assigned EPA ID No. PAD000798504 to the Facility on December 22, 1980.
Timeline of Previous Site Investigations:
- July 1991: Environmental Priorities Initiative Preliminary Assessment
- February 1996: Phase I Environmental Investigation
- December 1996: Phase II Investigations
- September 1997: Phase III Investigation
- October 1997: Soil remediation performed - approximately 753 tons of impacted soil were excavated from two areas: a closed-in-place 1,000-gallon Underground Storage Tank (UST) located next to the former garage and a former storage shed area.
- June 1999: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) approved non-use aquifer status for the site.
- May 2000: PADEP approved the Act 2 Final Report.
- July through September 2023: additional site characterization to include reinstallation of seven monitoring wells and groundwater sampling.
Site Description
Interactive map of Scott Paper Company Research Annex, Essington, PA
The Facility is situated on approximately 5.5 acres of land located in Essington, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Land use in the surrounding area is mainly commercial and residential. At the Facility, there is a one-story building with a basement.
The Facility was originally owned by Linde Air Products from 1937 to 1967 for manufacturing bottle gasses and air products. From 1967 until 1972, Scott Paper Company (Scott) operated the Facility for research and development of paper and paper pulp technology. From 1972 until 1980, Scott operated the Facility for development of disposable diaper covers and disposable paper cups. From 1980 until 1984, the Facility was occupied by Scott’s environmental and industrial hygiene laboratories. From 1984 until 1997, Scott (which was renamed Kimberly Clark Tissue Company in 1996), operated the Facility for the development of “wet wipes”. In October 1997, the Facility was sold to Linde Associated LP, who owned the Facility from 1997 until 2000. During this time, Linde Associates LP made improvements to the on-site building and remediation work was completed. SJS Linde SP bought the Facility in July 2000. Currently the Facility is occupied by several office-type tenants.
Contaminants at this Facility
Chlorinated volatile organic compounds were the primary contaminants of concern.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
EPA’s Final Decision requires the compliance with and maintenance of land and groundwater use restrictions.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site is currently being reused by several office-type tenants.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3 with assistance from PADEP.