Greenpoint Newtown Creek Oil Spill e-Resource

RECENT SAMPLING DATA
Elevated levels of methane, benzene, and other petroleum-related compounds are known to exist in commercial and industrial areas around past petroleum storage and distribution operations. As part of the ongoing remediation efforts, DEC is requiring ExxonMobil to conduct an extensive soil vapor investigation in Greenpoint.

Sub-surface soil vapor samples recently taken in the commercial/industrial area and evaluated by DEC show some elevated levels of methane, benzene and other contaminants. Notifications regarding these results have been sent to businesses in areas with potential impacts.

Testing of indoor air for methane in the commercial/industrial buildings has been conducted and results to date have not indicated infiltration of methane at levels that create environmental or public safety risks.

Methane can be a combustible gas when certain conditions exist. Data collected to date by DEC does not indicate that combustible conditions exist in the Greenpoint area. However, as a precaution, DEC will take the necessary steps to ensure that the public health is protected at all times by conducting additional investigation and/or remediation when certain gases are found in concentrations that, if increased, could lead to a potential combustion risk.

DEC RESPONSE TO NEW DATA
DEC initiated immediate action to investigate the extent of these vapors and will develop a long-term remedial plan to address them if necessary. In addition to ongoing activities already required of ExxonMobil, DEC has developed and implemented an interim Remedial Action Plan consisting of three tasks to be undertaken, effective immediately:

Sewer Survey and Possible Mitigation: Re-sampling and analysis of vapors in the sewer system will be conducted. Some of the re-sampling has already been conducted by ExxonMobil and DEC contractors working in the affected areas. In addition, as a result of the recent data results, DEC has mobilized its contractor for expanded investigation. DEC's expanded efforts began late last week.

Area Survey and Pathway Analysis: An area-wide survey will be performed to identify potential migration pathways of soil gas vapors, including methane. This survey will include the residential area located south of the intersection of Hausman Street and Nassau Avenue. Residents interested in participating in this sampling can contact DEC at (888) 459-8667. If DEC receives requests from residents in this area, testing will be performed in those individuals' basements. Sampling will include ambient air monitoring using portable field instruments designed to analyze for vapors, such as methane, as well as analyzing for oxygen. Results of the testing will be provided to the residents.

Other Activities:
Starting this month, a pilot test will be conducted to test and remove a limited amount of vapors from the ground using special extraction equipment. The pilot test will determine the range and effectiveness of the extraction equipment. These activities will be focused around existing monitoring wells and will be conducted over a period of one to two weeks depending on site conditions.

If potentially combustible conditions are identified at any time, proper authorities will be notified immediately and mitigation measures will be implemented by DEC.

New York State Seeks Cooperation in Sampling
In addition to the ongoing investigation of subsurface and indoor air sampling in the commercial/industrial area of Greenpoint described above, New York State is currently working to determine the scope and method of implementation of the residential indoor air investigation for potential vapor intrusion of chemicals associated with the plume. It is anticipated that this investigation will be conducted during the winter heating season of 2006-07.

Besides responding to requests for sampling for methane inside homes as described above, DEC and DOH continue to encourage residents in the area of the free-product plume to volunteer to participate in the long-term indoor air sampling program announced earlier this year which will test for a variety of petroleum-related products. Please contact Edward Hampston at (888) 459-8667 or [email protected] to learn about the indoor air sampling program and to indicate if you are interested in participating in the investigation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
DEC will be conducting a public meeting at the Princess Manor at 92 Nassau Avenue on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, at 7 p.m. The meeting will include a brief update on product recovery, activities completed to date in 2006, and goals for the upcoming year. In addition, information on planned vapor and indoor air sampling will be discussed. The meeting will include an extended opportunity to ask DEC and DOH staff questions regarding these projects.

For questions regarding the status of the investigation and cleanup of the petroleum release, contact:

Edward Hampston
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-7017
(888) 459-8667
[email protected]

For health related questions you may contact:

Dawn Hettrick
NYS Department of Health
Flanigan Square
547 River Street
Troy, NY 12180-2216
(800) 458-1158 x27880
[email protected]