Arizona Superfund Site: Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Area
Fight Air Pollution & Water Pollution With an Environmental Toxic Tort Lawsuit

Are you in need of a Toxic Tort Lawyer in The Grand Canyon State? The US EPA has designated Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Area in Arizona as a Superfund site because of its amounts of toxic pollution and harm to the natural world. You can read the report for the site below.

Some Superfund sites are on the National Priority Site Lists. The National Priorities List ("NPL") is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program. Environmental Protection Agency regulations outline a formal process for assessing hazardous waste sites and placing them on the NPL. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation.

Sites are listed on the NPL upon completion of Hazard Ranking System (HRS) screening, public solicitation of comments about the proposed site, and after all comments have been addressed. EPA may delete a final NPL site if it determines that no further response is required to protect human health or the environment. Sites where a remediation was completed through the Superfund program are typically deleted from the NPL.

Living near Superfund Sites in Arizona may place you and the people you love at higher risk of developing a disease from proximity to the site and experiencing a loss of value for your property, but you can do something to to fight back: The EPA says,

[We have] set up a "Post Construction Completion" (or PCC) strategy to ensure that Superfund response actions provide for the long-term protection of human health and the environment. EPA's Post Construction Completion activities also involve optimizing remedies to increase effectiveness and/or reduce cost without sacrificing long-term protection of human health and the environment.

Below you can read the EPA report for the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Area Superfund site. If you, a loved one, or someone in your community has suffered due to toxic pollution in Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Area, or if your property has lost value because of contamination, you are better off with a toxic tort lawyer who knows the people of the State of Arizona . Get started by filling out this simple form. There is no obligation, and your case will be evaluated within one day. To refer a friend, neighbor, or loved one, click here to let them know about the environmental toxic tort lawyers at Weitz & Luxenberg.

Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Area

This site is not a Federal Facility.

Updated: December 5, 2003

PHOENIX-GOODYEAZ AIRPORT AZEA
AZIZONA
EPA ID# AZD980695902

EPA Region 9
City: Goodyear
County: Maricopa
Other Names: Phoenix-Goodyear Airport Area
Litchfield Airport Industrial Area
Phoenix-Litchfield Airport Area

Site Responsibility:

This site is being addressed primarily through potentially responsible parties' actions with federal and state oversight.

NPL LISTING HISTORY

Proposed Date:12/30/1982

Final Date:09/08/1983

Deleted Date:

In 1981, the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) discovered that groundwater in the PGA area was contaminated with solvents and chromium. Additional sampling of wells in 1982 and 1983 by ADHS and EPA revealed 18 wells contaminated with TCE. Six of these wells exceeded ADHS’ drinking water action level of 5.0 parts per billion (ppb). Three of these well were used for drinking water. As a result, the EPA added PGA (originally listed as the “Litchfield Airport Area Superfund Site”) to the National Priorities List (NPL) on September 8, 1983 (see Federal Register, Vol. 48, No. 175, p. 40671).

In 1984, EPA began a Remedial Investigation of the then Litchfield Airport Area to characterize the site, investigate the extent of the contamination, and identify the potential sources. Drinking water supplies, industrial water supplies, and irrigation water come solely from groundwater that is pumped from the alluvial deposits of the western Salt River Valley underlying the entire area. These deposits consist of the Upper Alluvial Unit (UAU), the Middle Fine-Grained Unit (MFGU), and the Lower Conglomerate Unit (LCG). The UAU has been further subdivided into Subunit A, from the surface to about 120 feet deep; Subunit B, from about 120 to 240 feet deep; and Subunit C, from about 240 to 360 feet deep. Subunits A, B, and C are hydraulically connected, although Subunit B is more precisely defined as a a semi-confining layer, and Subunits B & C are commonly combined for reference as Subunit B/C. Sampling data for groundwater identified two major areas of non-contiguous contamination which are reflected in the decision to divide the PGA site into a northern area and a southern area. The southern area of the site consists of the Loral Defense Systems-Arizona (Loral) property and the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport property and any groundwater contamination emanating from these areas. The northern area of the site consists of the Unidynamics property and any groundwater contamination emanating from this property. All of these facilities have been positively identified as sources of contamination at the PGA site.

Contaminants of Concern (COCs) found in the groundwater at the PGA site include: TCE; chromium; perchloroethylene (PCE); 1,1-Dichloroethylene (1,1 DCE); chloroform; and carbon tetrachloride. Several organic and inorganic compounds were also found in the soils at the site which exceeded AHDS health-based cleanup levels, including: chromium; cadmium; aluminum; copper; TCE; and PCE. In addition, concentrations of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and acetone were detected as high as 659 mg/kg and 888 mg/kg, respectively, in the northern area of the site. Carbon tetrachloride, benzene, TCE, and PCE also exceeded the AHDS guidelines in air samples.

Most of the contaminants identified at PGA can be classified as organic compounds. Several of these compounds (e.g. carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, PCE, and TCE) may produce liver injury. Carbon tetrachloride and chloroform have more serious effects on the liver than TCE and PCE (Doull et al., 1980). Carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, PCE, and TCE have been classified by the EPA Carcinogen Assessment Group (CAG) as probable human carcinogens (Group B2) via ingestion (US EPA, 1989).

Exposures to the above compounds through inhalation may result in central nervous system depression, including anesthesia. Trichloroethylene has been used as an anesthetic (National Research Council [NRC], 1977). Other effects may include irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and irritation to the eyes (NRC, 1980). Trichloroethylene and PCE are also classified as probable human carcinogens by CAG via inhalation (US EPA, 1989). 1,1-Dichloroethylene and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene exhibit similar toxic effects to humans through inhalation and ingestion exposures. These compounds have anesthetic properties, and exposures to high concentrations may cause nausea and vomiting (US EPA, 1985a). The CAG has classified 1,1-DCE as a possible human carcinogen (Group C) for both inhalation and ingestion exposure routes (US EPA, 1989).

Inorganic compounds, including metals, were also found at the PGA site. Some of the inorganic compounds detected at the site, such as chromium, are much more toxic than others. Chromium has been identified in some water samples taken from the site in both the trivalent and hexavalent states. Chromium compounds in the trivalent (+3) state are of a low order of toxicity. In the hexavalent (+6) state, chromium compounds are irritants and corrosive and can enter the body by ingestion, inhalation, and through the skin (Sittig, 1981). Hexavalent chromium may cause liver and kidney damage, internal bleeding, and respiratory disorders (US EPA, 1985b). Hexavalent chromium has been designated by the CAG as a human carcinogen (Group A) via inhalation (US EPA, 1989). At PGA-South, the chromium speciation in the groundwater is approximatley 80% hexavalent and 20% trivalent.

Environmental Risks: Within the PGA site, there are no unique habitats nor any threatened or endangered species. Native vegetation is sparse. However, located immediately south of the site, the lower Gila River represents the most important riparian habitat in southwestern Arizona. Species that inhabit or migrate through the area include four federally listed or endangered species. These are: the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), the Yuma Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), and the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). The PGA area, particularly near the Gila River, supports viable hunting populations of mourning dove, Gambel’s quail, and various waterfowl. The area is especially popular for dove hunting and is known to support one of the largest breeding dove colonies in the Southwest.

Initial Actions: In the southern portion of the site, the former chromium sludge drying bed has been cleaned up by using on-site solidification technology. Construction of the remedy was completed in early 1993. Solidifying the sludge bed has prevented migration of chromium into the groundwater and chromium dust particles into the air.

For the southern half of the site, the remedy consists of extraction and treatment of contaminated Subunit A groundwater and Subunit B/C groundwater, and soil vapor extraction for contaminated soils. The Subunit A groundwater remedial action requires a pump and treat system using air stripping to remove VOCs from the groundwater. The Subunit B/C groundwater remedial action requires two separate pump and treat systems using liquid granular activated carbon to remove VOCs from the groundwater. With respect to VOC soil contamination at the southern portion of the PGA site, the ROD selected a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system with emission controls. ESD #3 added two additional technologies. Air sparging is used in conjunction with the SVE system to enhance cleanup of the Subunit A groundwater. This results in an estimated cost savings of approximately $900 per pound of VOCs removed. Advanced Affinity Chromatography uses a treated resin to remove chromium from the Subunit A groundwater at a well with elevated levels of chromium.

The remedial action selected for the northern half of the site is similar to that chosen for the south and includes a Subunit A groundwater remedy, a Subunit C groundwater remedy, and a soil remedy. The groundwater remedy consists of a network of groundwater extraction and groundwater injection wells. A total of six groundwater extraction wells pump approximately 1300 gallons per minute to contain and restore the contaminated aquifer. The extracted water is treated using air stripping to remove VOCs and is either re-injected at the former Unidynamics facility or used for irrigation. Vapor-phase GAC air emission controls are required for the Subunit A and C groundwater remedy. A new treatment facility at the northernmost extent of the groundwater treats Subunit A contaminated groundwater that has migrated to the north. This facility uses a liquid carbon absorption system, and then provides the treated water for irrigation use, construction use, and turf irrigation of golf courses. Some of the treated water is used in ornamental lakes in the area.

The soil remedy consists of a SVE system with thermal oxidation and wet scrubbing air emission controls in the source area at Unidynamics. The ROD identifies the source area, or “target area,” as that area where VOCs were detected in soil samples and the area where soil gas samples exhibited VOCs greater than 1 microgram per liter. The ROD provides that this area may be expanded or reduced, as necessary, to include removal of 99 percent of the contaminants. In addition, the ROD states that excavation and treatment may be required to remove residual contamination where soil vapor extraction is not effective. The SVE treatment system for the North PGA area was in operation from 1994-October 1998 on a periodic basis. In October 1998, the SVE system was turned off to evaluate the need for continued soil vapor extraction at PGA North.

Following issuance of a final ROD in 1989, EPA, the state of Arizona, and Goodyear Tire signed a consent decree for remediation of PGA-South in 1991. Goodyear Tire, as the leading potentially responsible party (PRP), has complied with all required cleanup actions including: (1) cleanup of metal contaminated soils, (2) cleanup of VOC contaminated soils, and (3) cleanup of contaminated groundwater in both upper and lower portions of the aquifer. Action (1) is complete and actions (2) and (3) are in the Operations and maintenance (O&M) phase. Soil Vapor Extraction has been very successful for the cleanup of VOC contaminated soils and has removed approximately 2,300 pounds of VOCs. Goodyear Tire will soon ask EPA and the State of Arizona to approve the closure of the third and final SVE remedy. This may be the first successful total closeout of VOC contaminated soil cleanup at an Arizona Superfund site. In 1995, EPA transferred administrative lead of PGA-South to Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) staff.

Approximately 4,000 cubic yards of chromium contaminated soils have been removed to date.

With 3 groundwater remediation systems operating, EPA there has been a high level of success in containing the TCE plume to prevent off-property migration. Approximately 2.2 billion gallons have been pumped from the contaminated aquifer, removing 3,300 pounds of VOCs. To date, an estimated 75% of the total VOC mass in the groundwater has been removed. In addition, the AAC treatment system has removed approximately 2.8 pounds of chromium from the Subunit A groundwater.

Unidynamics is conducting the cleanup activities at PGA-North under the authority of a Unilateral Administrative Order. The on-site groundwater treatment facility and soil vapor extraction system have removed 36,000 pounds of TCE from the soil (10,000) and groundwater (26,000) on site. The new treatment facility which Unidynamics voluntarily constructed at the northern extent of the plume is expected to remove approximately 1,500 pounds of TCE per year once in full operation.

While construction has been completed at PGA-South, the construction completion date for PGA-North was planned for September 1998. It will result in a site-wide construction complete.

The public information repositories for the site are at the following locations:

Avondale Public Library
328 West Western Avenue
Avondale, AZ 85323
(602) 932-9415

The most complete collection of documents is the official EPA site file, maintained at the following location:

Superfund Records Center
Mail Stop SFD-7C
95 Hawthorne Street, Room 403
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 536-2000

Enter main lobby of 75 Hawthorne street, go to 4th floor of South Wing Annex.

EPA SITE MANAGER:

Andria Benner, James Sickles

ADDRESS:

75 Hawthorne St.
San Francisco, CA 94105

PHONE NUMBER:

A.Benner (415) 972-3189
J. Sickles (415) 972-3265

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

Benner.Andria@epa.gov
Sickles.James@epa.gov

EPA COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT COORDINATOR:

Viola Cooper (SFD-3)

ADDRESS:

75 Hawthorne St.
San Francisco, CA 94105

PHONE NUMBER:

(415) 972-3243
1-800-231-3075

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

Cooper.Viola@epa.gov

PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTER:

(415) 947-8701

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

r9.info@epamail.epa.gov

STATE CONTACT:

ADDRESS:

PHONE NUMBER:

PRP CONTACT:

ADDRESS:

PHONE NUMBER:

COMMUNITY CONTACT:

ADDRESS:

PHONE NUMBER:

State Environmental Protection Agency

US Environmental Protection Agency

(800) 852-7550

(800) 424-8802

STATE:

AZ

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT:

04

EPA ORGANIZATION:

SFD-7-1

• Site Description and History

•  Maps
•  Images

•  Description
•  Environmental Data

•  Response Action Status

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source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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see also:

Williams Air Force Base Environmental Pollution in Arizona- Site: Williams Air Force Base
Williams Air Force Base Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution

Indian Bend Wash Area Environmental Pollution in Arizona- Site: Indian Bend Wash Area
Indian Bend Wash Area Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution

AZ Environmental Pollution Lawsuit: Arizona Superfund Sites
Legal information for environmental pollution lawsuit in Arizona.