Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Brightsmith Coil Coaters (Formerly: MSC Engineered Materials and Solution Group) in Morrisville, Pennsylvania
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
EPA determined that Environmental Indicator Groundwater Migration was under control on March 30,2022, and Environmental Indicator Human Exposures was under control on June 3, 2022. September 6, 2022, EPA determined the facility was ready for anticipate use. Cleanup goals have been achieved current and reasonably anticipated future land uses of the facility so there are no unacceptable risks. On September 27, 2022 The EPA issued its Corrective Action Final Decision which includes land use and groundwater restrictions.
A preliminary assessment was conducted at the Facility in 1989 and included a geologic, hydrogeologic, demographic, and environmental survey. This assessment noted that groundwater monitoring had been conducted in 1984 and found elevated levels of chromium, lead, and zinc. Additionally, inspections between 1977 and 1993 found discharges from the Facility’s treatment plan that exceeded the NPDES permit limits for suspended solids, total aluminum, total chromium and total iron.
In 2019, Brightsmith reported a spill of RCRA regulated non-halogenated waste solvent from a drum that was located in a 90-day hazardous waste storage area. This spill was remediated via excavation; post excavation samples taken in 2020 confirmed all toluene and ethylbenzene contaminated soils had been removed. This remediation was conducted under the oversight of PADEP’s Act 2 cleanup program.
In 2021, Brightsmith conducted an investigation of soil, sediment, and groundwater to evaluate possible contamination identified in historic reports by EPA based on the known history of the Facility. This investigation found that soil sample results were all below Regional Screening Levels (RSLs). Groundwater in one well slightly exceeded EPA MCLs for arsenic and toluene, however this was not the case in downgradient wells. The impacts were determined to be localized and the source no longer present. Toluene was evaluated for vapor intrusion and determined not to be a risk factor for exposure.
Further sediment investigation is warranted based on the initial findings of this 2021 investigation. Brightsmith has proposed a sediment investigation workplan that is currently being reviewed by EPA.
On October 6, 2022, an environmental covenant was implemented for the facility.
Site Description
The Brightsmith Coil Coaters Facility is situated on approximately 8.25 acres of land in the central area of Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, located 2.5 miles south of Morrisville. In 1973, Prior Coated Metals began operating a metal coil coating facility at the Site. From 1983 until 1998, Pre Finish Metals owned and operated the Site. MSC purchased the Site in 1998 and operated until it was purchased by Brightsmith in 2008. Operations at the Facility have included metal coil coating.
Contaminants at this Facility
The latest soil and groundwater sampling event was conducted in 2021-2022.at seven monitoring wells on site. Soil sampling results showed hexavalent chromium and heavy metals within EPA’s acceptable risk range of the Industrial RSLs. Groundwater sampling results showed slight exceedance of EPA’s MCLs for arsenic and toluene at one well located near a former UST and water treatment settling lagoon; downgradient wells did not detect contaminants above MCLs.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional Controls at the facility are in place via an Environmental Covenant on the property. The covenant disallows property use for residential purposes and ensures earth moving activities do not pose a threat to human health and the environment. Groundwater use on the property is restricted.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility's is currently still being used for metal coating operations.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 3.