EPA Allegheny:  Penn Hills Industrial Contamination Site

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 3 - MID-ATLANTIC
Superfund Program Report

Site Name: Penn Hills Industrial Contamination Site
Location: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Date of Report: March 23, 2025

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Background:

The Penn Hills Industrial Contamination Site has been designated as a Superfund site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) due to significant hazardous substance contamination. The site, previously home to an abandoned metal plating facility, has experienced decades of industrial runoff, illegal dumping, and chemical spills, leading to widespread groundwater and soil contamination.

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Contaminants of Concern (COCs) and EPA Thresholds:

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Environmental and Health Impact Analysis:

• Groundwater Contamination: Plumes of TCE and benzene have migrated into local aquifers, posing risks to drinking water supplies.

• Soil Contamination: High lead and arsenic levels in surface soils present direct contact hazards to the local community.

• Airborne Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): TCE vapors detected in nearby residential basements indicate vapor intrusion issues.

• Ecological Risks: Runoff into Turtle Creek has led to bioaccumulation of mercury and PCBs in aquatic life, endangering local wildlife.

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Potential Remediation Strategies:

1. Soil Remediation:

   • Excavation and Removal: Digging up contaminated soil for off-site treatment or disposal.

   • Phytoremediation: Using plants to absorb heavy metals (e.g., sunflowers for lead and arsenic).

2. Groundwater Treatment:

   • Pump and Treat: Extracting contaminated water, treating it, and reinjecting clean water.

   • In-Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO): Injecting oxidants to break down VOCs like TCE and benzene.

3. Vapor Intrusion Mitigation:

   • Sub-slab Depressurization Systems: Preventing harmful vapors from entering homes.

   • Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE): Removing volatile contaminants from the subsurface.

4. Ecological Restoration:

   • Bioremediation: Introducing microorganisms to break down hazardous chemicals in water and soil.

   • Stream Bank Stabilization: Reducing further contamination of Turtle Creek through buffer zones and wetland restoration.

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Conclusion:

The Penn Hills Industrial Contamination Site presents serious environmental and health concerns. This student-led initiative will help shape potential remediation efforts and promote environmental stewardship in Pennsylvania. The EPA looks forward to innovative proposals aimed at restoring the area.

For further information, contact: EPA Region 3 Superfund Division at (215) 814-5000 or email superfund.pa@epa.gov.