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EPA BEGINS WORK TO SECURE NORTHFIELD, NH, INDUSTRIAL SITE

Release Date: 12/13/1999
Contact Information: Alice Kaufman, EPA Community Affairs Office, (617) 918-1064

Boston - The New England office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began will begin work today to stabilize the former Surrette American Battery site. EPA has allocated $250,000 to remove transformers that contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) oils, to remove and dispose of an estimated 500 gallons of propane from an above-ground storage tank as well as a tank containing sulfuric acid, and to take down the standing walls remaining from a fire. The site is located on 7+ acres at 10 Gibson Mill Road in Northfield, NH.

In 1995, EPA removed and disposed of drums, containers, the contents of a storage tank, lead-contaminated roofing materials, and lead contaminated soil. In 1998, a catastrophic fire destroyed the remaining mill's main building. EPA was again on site to clean up asbestos that had blown from the site by the heat of the fire into the towns of Northfield and Tilton.

According to Paul Groulx, EPA's on scene coordinator for the project, "I will be working to stabilize the site but the resources just aren't there to clean the whole area. I'll be pumping the most dangerous materials from the tanks, removing the obvious asbestos and lead-containing materials, and do what I can to prevent erosion of chemicals and debris to the Winnipesaukee River."

EPA will conduct air sampling to ensure that asbestos and lead found on the site are not migrating to nearby neighborhoods.