Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Bingham and Taylor in Culpeper, Virginia

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Cleanup Status
Site Description
Contaminants at this Facility
Institutional/Engineer Controls
Land Reuse
Site Responsibility

This facility is one of EPA Region 3's high priority Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action sites. EPA and EPA's contractor conducted an Environmental Indicator (EI) inspection at this facility in September 1998, and determined that additional information needs to be gathered in order to determine if the EIs have been met. Bingham & Taylor entered into a Facility Lead Agreement with EPA on October 22, 1999, for conducting corrective action at their Culpeper Facility. The Facility submitted a Facility Lead Assessment Work Plan to EPA, which EPA approved, for the investigation, and possible remediation, of the groundwater and soils at the site. Bingham & Taylor was responsible for conducting on-site sampling for possible contamination of surface soils, subsurface soils, groundwater and stream sediments. EPA was responsible for off-site surface soil sampling.

Cleanup Status

In October 2002, Bingham & Taylor completed the on-site field activities. Slightly elevated lead concentrations were found in some surface soil samples taken in the western portion of the facility. The facility has implemented corrective measures at these locations by installing an impervious cap over these areas thereby eliminating the potential for the migration of lead in the surface soils. The concentration of contaminates in the subsurface soils, groundwater, and stream sediments were all below EPA's guidelines to protect human health and the environment.

In November 2002, EPA completed the off-site field activities. The sampling included the surface soil sampling of seven commercial properties located in close proximity to the Bingham & Taylor facility. Of the 102 composite surface soil samples collected, none exceeded the health-based limits for cadmium. Two composites exceeded the health-based limits for lead but they were not caused by activities associated with the Bingham & Taylor facility. The high levels were due to the makeup of the soils including backfilled debris, construction materials and rubble.

In September 2003, EPA Region 3 determined that the Environmental Indicator (EI) for Human Health was met and the Groundwater EI was met in January 2004.

On April 20, 2004, EPA held an informal meeting with the public, as well local politicians, to recommend that no further RCRA Corrective Action was necessary at the Bingham & Taylor facility. On October 27, 2004, a notice appeared in the Culpeper Star-Exponent soliciting comments from the public on EPA's recommendation. No comments were received during the 45-day public comment period. On December 22, 2004, EPA issued its Final Decision stating that the final remedy at the Bingham & Taylor facility consisted of a bituminous asphalt cap with institutional controls. This final remedy meets the Corrective Action objectives and is protective of human health and the environment and RCRA Corrective Action is now complete with controls at the Bingham and Taylor facility.

Site Description

Interactive Map of Bingham and Taylor, Culpeper, Virginia

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The Bingham & Taylor Foundry is located in Culpeper, Virginia and consists of two large buildings housing offices and operations, several other outbuildings for storage and a loading dock. The foundry produces cast iron products from recycled scrap iron. Scrap iron is delivered by truck, melted in the cupola, and the molten iron is transferred by ladles to various molds to produce cast products. The castings are then immersed into a dip tank for finishing with an asphalt coating.

Contaminants at this Facility

Based on available information there are no known imminent threats to human health or the environment from the Bingham and Taylor Facility. The main contaminants of concern were lead and cadmium.

Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

Institutional controls are a notice in the property deed which includes the location of the bituminous asphalt cap or materials management areas.

Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The facility is under continued use.

Site Responsibility at this Facility

RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality with assistance from the EPA Region 3.