Weisbecker
Cleaners
135 Philadelphia Avenue
Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County
Block: 206, Lots: 21 & 22A
PI: 003646
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
has contracted the Louis Berger Group, Inc. to perform a Remedial
Investigation (RI) of the soil and ground water in the vicinity
of the
Weisbecker Cleaners Site.
Site Background
Since the 1940s, Weisbecker Cleaners, or “the Site”
has operated as a dry cleaning and laundry facility. NJDEP records
indicate that Weisbecker Cleaners utilized tetrachloroethylene
(PCE) in the 1980s. PCE is a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) commonly
used in the dry cleaning process.
During an investigation of the former Egg Harbor City Manufactured
Gas Plant, PCE contamination was discovered in ground water. As
a result, NJDEP initiated an investigation to determine the source
of the PCE.
In August 2004, ground water samples were collected by NJDEP
in the area of several suspected properties including Weisbecker
Cleaners. PCE and its degradation by-products were detected in
the ground water in borings approximately 200 feet northeast of
Weisbecker Cleaners. In April 2005, NJDEP collected groundwater
samples onsite and offsite. PCE and its degradation by-products
were detected in onsite groundwater samples as high as 4,000 parts
per billion (ppb) of PCE at a depth of 48 feet. PCE was detected
offsite at 300 ppb at a depth of 96 feet. The NJDEP Ground Water
Remediation Standard for PCE is 1 ppb. As a result, Weisbecker
Cleaners was identified as a potential source of the PCE contamination.
Remedial Investigation
Through previous investigations, the extent of the ground water
and soil contamination at and near the Site have been partially
characterized, but further investigations are required.
The primary objectives of this RI include:
- Confirm and delineate the source(s) of soil and ground water
contamination;
- Characterize site geologic and hydrogeologic conditions;
- Characterize the ground water flow direction;
- Assess ground water quality and delineate the extent of groundwater
contamination using Class I-PL (Protection Area) criterion;
- Identify potential contaminant impacts to surrounding surface
water;
- Evaluate potential effects to human receptors and natural
ecological resources.
Field Activities
An on-site soil investigation will consist of approximately
15 soil boring locations to investigate and potentially delineate
on-site soil contamination. Soil samples will be collected from
each of the locations and the samples will be analyzed for VOCs.
A investigation will be performed to delineate the off-site ground
water contamination. This investigation will consist of screening
at up to 15 locations and the installation and sampling of up
to 30 monitoring wells. The ground water samples will be analyzed
for VOCs.
To address the possibility that the contaminated ground water
has reached the wetlands area, surface water and sediment samples
will be collected from five locations and analyzed for VOCs. Additionally,
a baseline ecological evaluation and a well search will be performed
to identify any potential ecological and human receptors that
may be affected by the Site-related contamination.
Vapor Intrusion Investigation
Vapor intrusion is the migration of volatile chemicals from the
subsurface into enclosed buildings. Volatile compounds in subsurface
soil and groundwater can potentially impact the indoor air quality
of a building. The vapor intrusion investigation will evaluate
the indoor air quality at each sampled property and identify potential
or actual vapor intrusion pathways, as applicable. Subsurface
vapor samples may also be collected adjacent to or beneath each
property. All samples will be compared to the applicable NJDEP
screening levels. Pending the results of the initial vapor intrusion
investigation, additional residential and commercial properties
may be investigated. All property owners will be notified in advance
of sampling activities.
NJDEP will provide a copy of the approved
Remedial Investigation Report and any other
environmental reports to the City of Egg Harbor
upon request.
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For more information,
please contact:
Sana Qureshi,
Office of Community Relations
P: 609-984-2038, F: 609-292-4401
E: Sana.Qureshi@dep.nj.gov
Mary Lou Parra
Bureau of Inv., Design & Construction
P: 609-633-3618
E: MaryLou.Parra@dep.nj.gov
Other resources:
For more information on vapor intrusion,
please see the NJDEP
Vapor Intrusion Guidance.
For frequently asked questions about specific contaminants,
please see the ATSDR
ToxFAQs.
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