RCA operated a 20-acre manufacturing facility in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico, from 1971 to April 1987, producing aperture masks for color television picture tubes. During that time, spent ferric chloride solution was stored in four lined surface lagoons. Sinkholes opened in two of the lagoons and released about one million gallons of ferric chloride and contaminated process water into the groundwater. The waste contained selenium, chromium, and iron. Starting in 1982, the company switched to storing ferric chloride in tanks and began treating process water through an on-site wastewater treatment system.
EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983. The NPL is the federal list of the most serious uncontrolled hazardous waste sites in the country. General Electric Company, the potentially responsible party, led a Remedial Investigation and Risk Assessment. After reviewing the findings, EPA signed a "no action" Record of Decision in September 1994. That decision concluded the site does not pose a significant threat to public health or the environment and that no Superfund cleanup is necessary. The physical construction phase was completed by September 2000, and the site was deleted from the NPL in June 2005. General Electric continues to address any closure requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program through an Administrative Order.
EPA has determined that human exposure is under control across the entire site. There are no unacceptable exposure pathways to contamination, and groundwater migration has been stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. EPA will continue monitoring to confirm that affected groundwater stays within the original area of contamination. All cleanup goals for current and reasonably anticipated future land uses have been met, and required land-use restrictions are in place. The site achieved sitewide readiness for anticipated reuse by June 2006.
Community members who want to review records related to Superfund work at the site can visit two repositories. The EPA Caribbean Environmental Protection Division holds records at City View Plaza II, Suite 7000, #48 Road 165, Guaynabo, PR 00968, and can be reached at (787) 977-5865. Records are also available at Biblioteca Comunitaria Sixto Escobar on Avenida Palmas Altas in Barceloneta. For direct questions, the EPA has designated a Community Involvement Coordinator and a Remedial Project Manager.
