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Exide Agrees to EPA Final Order - To Investigate and Remove Contaminated Soils

Release Date: 3/8/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized an order with Exide/General Battery Corp., located in Laureldale, Pa., to investigate the extent of lead contamination in the soil of properties surrounding the Exide plant and to clean the properties that contain lead levels of possible concern.

The final order was signed March 2, 2001 and did not change from what EPA proposed and made available for public comment last fall. Under the order, EPA will require that Exide include several provisions in all assessment and cleanup work plans. These provisions include indoor dust sampling for lead, and if necessary, indoor cleanup for residential properties.

EPA acknowledges the concern raised by citizens regarding Exide’s November 1998 risk assessment and is requiring Exide to conduct a new risk assessment to define the study areas using EPA-approved risk assessment protocols.

The investigation and cleanup of all residential properties with soil lead concentrations above the determined cleanup level are expected to be completed by August 2005.

The proposed order, initially subject to a 30-day public comment period, was extended two weeks on request and closed on October 23, 2000. EPA finalized the order after completing its review of all comments received from interested citizens. EPA responded to each comment in writing and will mail copies of the response document to all those who submitted comments.

The order, consent agreement, and the agency’s response to comments are available on the EPA’s home page at https://www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/ca/pa/pad990753089.htm .

The Exide/General Battery facility recycles lead batteries at a location where batteries have been manufactured since the mid-1930s.