All News Releases By Date

Removal and Clean Up Work Begins at Easthampton, Mass. Site

Release Date: 09/30/2010
Contact Information: Emily Zimmerman, (617) 918-1037

(Boston, Mass. – Sept. 30, 2010) – Site mobilization for a removal action at the East Hampton Zonolite/ W.R. Grace Site began during the week of Sept. 27.  The site has some asbestos contamination both in and around the facility that W.R. Grace will be removing over the next few months.

From 1963 to 1992, Zonolite / W.R. Grace operated an exfoliation plant at the facility in Easthampton, Mass., producing attic insulation and Monokote fireproofing materials.  W.R. Grace received vermiculite concentrate, containing amphibole asbestos fibers, from the Zonolite mine in Libby. Mont.  W.R. Grace shipped the vermiculite concentrate by rail to the Easthampton facility.

The old rail line that was used to ship the vermiculite concentrate is located behind the building on the site.  This unused rail will be constructed to become part of the Manhan Rail Trail once clean-up work is complete.  

Work on the site will initially focus on the wetland area and the trail area behind the building, so that work to transform the old rail line into a bike trail can get started.

Work at the site is expected to be completed in mid-December.  Workers will be at the site removing contamination, clearing areas for soil removal, capping areas and cleaning the facility Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Workers will be wearing protective gear while they are on-site.  

#  #  # 

Follow EPA New England on Twitter: http://twitter.com/epanewengland