All News Releases By Date

EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Marjol Battery Site

Release Date: 10/15/1999
Contact Information: Joan Schafer (215) 814-5143

Joan Schafer (215) 814-5143

THROOP, Pa. - The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a proposed remedy to clean up contaminated soils and waste material at the Marjol Battery site once operated by Marjol Battery and Equipment Co, and now owned by Gould Electronics.

EPA has worked with Gould Electronics since 1988 to clean up the site and nearby residential properties that were once contaminated with lead. Lead contamination resulted from battery recycling operations at the site by the now defunct Marjol Battery and Equipment Co. for 18 years between 1963 and 1981.

"A residential cleanup was completed in 1992 to eliminate any risks to human health and the environment. This remedy would clean up the site itself," said W. Michael McCabe, EPA regional administrator.

The cleanup plan includes the excavation and off-site disposal of 86,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and battery casings. The plan further proposes constructing a cap over another 286,000 cubic yards of contaminated material.

EPA officials will explain the proposed cleanup plan to the Throop Borough Council on October 19, and public briefings will be offered at the Throop Civic Center at 1 pm and 7 pm on October 26 and 27. A public meeting to receive oral and written comments on the cleanup proposal is scheduled for November 22, at 6:30 p.m. in the Throop Civic Center.

An official comment period runs from November 1 through December 1. Written comments should be submitted to the project manager, Sibyl Hinnant (mail code 3WC22), U.S. EPA, Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Phila., PA 19103, 3WC22.

Prior to issuing the final plan, EPA will evaluate and respond to all comments received during the comment period. Copies of the proposed plan have been mailed to the borough council. Additional copies will be available at the municipal building.