Endicott Area Investigations - Public Health Response Plan

Appendix D: Overview of Completed Environmental Investigations


This section describes the environmental investigations that have been completed in the Endicott area. Information pertaining to many of these investigations is available for public review at the George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Village of Endicott, 1001 Park Street, Endicott, NY 13760.


D.1 IBM Endicott Site — Supplemental Groundwater Assessment (SGA) and Remediation

Performed by:
IBM Corporation, with NYSDEC, NYSDOH and BCHD oversight
Finalized:
October 2004, Report: Supplemental Groundwater Assessment (SGA) Final Report. Available in the document repository
Purpose:
The supplemental groundwater assessment was implemented to identify additional corrective actions that could be taken at this site to accelerate groundwater remediation.
Overall Findings:
The final SGA report recommended additional corrective measures be implemented for the following components of the overall remediation: source control in the vicinity of the railroad, flux control at North Street, and plume reduction south of North Street. Maximizing the extraction rates and evaluating the use of vacuum assist were recommended as the preferred corrective measure for source control in the vicinity of the railroad. The same corrective measure was recommended for controlling contaminant flux at North Street, with the possible addition of a reactive barrier and the use of in-situ chemical oxidation. Groundwater extraction and treatment coupled with the injection of clean water was recommended for reducing the contaminant plume south of North Street. The corrective measures that were recommended in the SGA are being developed and implemented under the Groundwater Corrective Action Program (see Section 4.1).

D.2 IBM Endicott Site — Groundwater Vapor Project (GVP)

Being Performed by:
IBM Corporation, with NYSDEC, NYSDOH and BCHD oversight
Finalized:
December 2005, Report: Summary Report Groundwater Vapor Project. Available in the document repository
Purpose:
The purpose of the Groundwater Vapor Project (GVP), which began in December 2002, was to define the nature and extent of soil vapor contamination, design and install ventilation systems, and to implement a soil vapor monitoring program that would ensure that the mitigation systems remain protective of public health in the future.
Overall Findings:
The GVP investigated soil vapor intrusion resulting from the IBM plume in the Village of Endicott and the Town of Union. Based on that investigation, areas of ventilation were established and appropriate measures were taken to reduce exposures where necessary. In addition to mitigating exposures, the GVP established a monitoring system that will ensure that the boundaries of ventilation remain protective should conditions in the subsurface change over time.

D.3 IBM Endicott Site — On-site Soil Vapor Intrusion

Performed by:
NYSDEC, in consultation with the NYSDOH and BCHD
Finalized:
September 2005 Report: Preliminary Site Assessment Report. Available in document repository.
Purpose:
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the potential for exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) via soil vapor intrusion into on-site structures. Indoor air, subslab and outdoor air samples were collected from across the Huron campus.
Overall Findings:
The results of the investigation were interpreted and transmitted to the owners and tenants of the Huron Campus in September 2005. Overall, no immediate health concerns were identified. However, the soil vapor data generated by this investigation support the necessity of continuing IBM's on-going on-site investigation. The purpose of IBM's investigation is to characterize the nature and extent of subsurface contamination on the Huron Campus and to evaluate the feasibility of expanding remedial actions.

The NYSDEC and NYSDOH will continue to work with IBM to identify source areas and enhance existing remedial measures to reduce potential exposures to soil vapor contamination (see Section 4.1).

D.4 Old Village Dump (OVD) Investigation

Performed by:
NYSDEC in consultation with NYSDOH and BCHD
Finalized:
June 2005, Report: Final Investigation Report Old Village Dump, Jennie Snapp School, and Tannery Sewer NYSDEC Area Wide Study. Available in the document repository
Purpose:
The goal of the Old Village Dump (OVD) Investigation was to assess the soil vapor, indoor air, soil and groundwater quality in and around the OVD, Tannery Sewer and Jennie F. Snapp school. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if materials within the OVD or the Tannery Sewer could represent contributory sources to low-level groundwater quality impacts observed in the Village Supply wells (South Street Well Field).
Overall Findings:
The OVD does not appear to be a continuing source of vapor phase contamination because adsorbed or dissolved impacts were not observed in soil or groundwater samples. Also, neither the OVD nor the Tannery Sewer appears to be the source of low-level groundwater quality impacts observed in the South Street Well Field. Additional sampling will be conducted in the future to ensure these are valid conclusions.