All News Releases By Date

Community Update Planned on Exide Environmental Cleanup

Release Date: 8/1/2002
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

Bonnie Smith, (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public meeting on Thursday, August 8, 2002 to provide a status report on the environmental cleanup and investigation being conducted in the community surrounding the Exide Technologies Corporation. The meeting will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Muhlenberg Middle School, located at 801 E. Bellevue Avenue in Reading, Pa.

Under an EPA order, Exide began a soil investigation in April 2001 to determine the average soil lead concentration and associated health risks for each property in the study area. As a result of recent sampling, several residential properties with average soil lead concentrations of 1200 mg/kg or greater are currently undergoing cleanups.

In addition, EPA will discuss the second phase of the investigation to determine a soil cleanup level that will be protective of human health and the environment. The second phase will focus on residences with children 7 years old or younger or those with pregnant women.

Exide representatives will discuss the upcoming community blood lead study for children being conducted by their consultants, Advanced GeoServices Corporation (AGC). This is also part of the second phase investigation.

For additional information about the cleanup or investigation, contact EPA project manager, Khai Dao, at (800) 352-1973 ext. 45467. For information about participation in the blood lead study, contact Jennifer Carling at AGC at 610-675-2152. For online information about the Exide investigation and cleanup, go to EPA’s website at:
www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/ ca/pdf/pad990753089.pdf