PCB Removal
While recovery rates vary, AR has successfully removed over 1300 gallons of PCB material through January of 2014.
Pilot testing showed that under the right conditions this molasses-like material could be pumped out from wells.
AR is successfully removing recoverable PCBs from the northwest corner of the property
Although the remedy for the bulk of the property is still being designed, for the last several years, Atlantic Richfield Company (AR) has been pumping out recoverable PCBs from a network of wells at the northwest corner of the site.
During World War II, PCB material was shipped to the Anaconda Wire & Cable Company in dry powder form. In the production process, the PCB material was converted to a thick liquid for application to electric cables. This practice was required to meet U.S. Navy specifications for cable fire resistance for use on warships.
Some of this material escaped during WWII era production activity and sank beneath the property, where it has remained in a viscous (semi-fluid) state. During property investigations in 2007, AR found this material located in the northwest corner of the property about 40 feet below the surface. Pilot testing showed that under the right conditions this molasses-like material could be pumped out from wells. Recovery from the wells creates an inward gradient that slowly draws the material into the well where it can be periodically pumped and recovered.
AR installed a total of nine wells over several years, about five of which regularly collect PCB material that can be removed by pumping. While recovery rates vary, AR has successfully removed over 2000 gallons of this material through December of 2015.
After removal, the PCB material is collected and transferred to a licensed disposal facility.
More information can be found at our About PCBs page.