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EPA to Delete GE Wiring Devices Superfund Site in Juana Diaz from National List of Hazardous Waste Sites

Release Date: 08/24/2000
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(#00159) SAN JUAN, P.R. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it intends to delete the General Electric (GE) Wiring Device site in Juana Diaz from the National Priorities List (NPL) of hazardous waste sites since all the necessary mercury cleanup work at the inactive site has been completed and the site is no longer a threat to public health and the environment. EPA is inviting public comments on its proposal. From 1957 until 1969, GE, during the assembly of silent mercury switches, improperly disposed of defective parts in a waste fill area behind its plant. The mercury switches contaminated the soil on the property. In January of this year, GE, under the direction of EPA’s Superfund program, excavated and transported a total of 12,823 tons of mercury-contaminated material to a hazardous waste landfill in Pinewood, South Carolina for final disposal. On March 13, 2000, EPA inspected GE’s cleanup and restoration work at the site and found it to be complete and consistent with the Superfund program goal of removing any threats the site posed to public health and the environment. The public comment period on EPA’s decision began on August 17 and ends on September 15, 2000. Comments should be submitted to: Caroline Kwan, Remedial Project Manager, Superfund Region 2, USEPA at 290 Broadway, 20th floor, New York, N.Y. 10007-1866. Comprehensive information about the site and its cleanup history is available for public review at the Press Office of the Mayor’s Office, Casa Alcaldia de Juana Diaz, Calle Degetau (787) 837-2185.