The Rodale Manufacturing site covers 1.8 acres in Emmaus Borough, Pennsylvania. The property was used to make wiring devices and electrical connectors from the 1950s through 1986. Disposal of electroplating waste and rinse water into on-site wells left groundwater contaminated with hazardous chemicals. The site was added to EPA's National Priorities List, which prioritizes Superfund cleanups, in the early 1990s. Sources differ slightly on the exact listing date, citing both October 1991 and October 1992.
EPA has identified 43 contaminants of concern, all found in groundwater. These include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethene (TCE), tetrachloroethene (also called perchloroethene), benzene, and vinyl chloride. Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel are also present. Additional contaminants include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, cyanide, and chlorinated compounds like carbon tetrachloride and chloroform.
The long-term cleanup remedy, selected in September 1999, uses a pump-and-treat system. Extraction wells pull contaminated groundwater to the surface, and air stripping then treats the extracted water. Hydraulic control keeps the plume from spreading, and monitored natural attenuation allows natural processes to reduce contamination over time. Because dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) are present in the groundwater, full restoration is not expected within a reasonable timeframe. EPA issued a Technical Impracticability Waiver, which allows the remedy to move forward without meeting all standards for TCE and perchloroethene. Construction of the cleanup system finished in September 2003. The potentially responsible party (the company liable for cleanup costs) continues operation and maintenance under EPA oversight.
Human exposure is currently under control. Contaminated groundwater migration is stabilized, and there is no unacceptable discharge to surface water. Institutional controls, including zoning restrictions, prevent residential development and groundwater use across the property and the contaminated plume area. The site achieved "sitewide ready for anticipated reuse" status in September 2014, meaning all cleanup goals have been met for current and expected future land uses and all required controls are in place. EPA completed its most recent five-year review in September 2023, confirming the remedy protects human health and the environment in the short term. Long-term effectiveness depends on whether planned modifications to the pump-and-treat system succeed. The next five-year review is scheduled between September and November 2028.
Community members can get involved through EPA's Community Involvement Program, which offers ways to engage in cleanup decisions and stay informed. Site records are available at the Emmaus Public Library at 11 East Main Street, Emmaus, PA 18049, or at the EPA Region 3 office at 1600 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
