The Sealand Limited site covers 0.8 acres in Middletown, Delaware. A creosote-manufacturing plant and coal tar and oil storage facility operated there for about one year before closing in 1983. Leaking tanks and drums contaminated the soil and groundwater. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List in 1990.
Cleanup focused on removing the source contamination. Workers removed 240,000 gallons of coal tar, 320 drums, and 122 cubic yards of solid waste. Waste oil storage tanks were cleaned and disposed of off-site. EPA then capped the drum storage area with one foot of clay and six inches of topsoil and installed monitoring wells. The long-term remedy selected in 1991 was "No Further Action" because the initial cleanup had removed the threat. Construction was completed on March 27, 1992.
EPA deleted the site from the National Priorities List on July 1, 1997. Two five-year reviews confirmed that the cleanup continues to protect public health and the environment. The most recent review found that response actions match the selected remedy and no additional five-year reviews are required. Human exposure is under control, meaning there are no unacceptable exposure pathways. Groundwater migration is also under control, with contamination stabilized and no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site has achieved "Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use" status, and a warehouse facility currently operates there.
One point in the source documents differs: the redevelopment and cleanup sections state the site was deleted in 1997, while the community section also states the site was declared clean in 2001. Both claims appear as stated in the sources.
Community members with questions can contact EPA directly. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, part of the Centers for Disease Control, can provide more detail on the specific contaminants and health risks. Administrative records are available online or in person at the EPA Region 3 office in Philadelphia. To schedule an appointment to review records, call (215) 814-2396.
