Philly Inquirer (8/3/2020) says Hilco is calling for an “exposure barrier,” instead of removal. How extensive is contamination beyond the site? Concerned this does not address the health and environmental rights of the local community, nor account for sea-level rise and climate change flooding.

The off-site impacts are described in the Remedial Investigation Reports and two Areas of Investigation (AOIs), AOI 4 and AOI 9, have completed additional investigation activities to delineate off-site impacts.  As part of developing future Cleanup Plans for the site, several remedial options will be evaluated, including exposure barriers which may be necessary on-site.  Exposure barriers are a general term and may include remedial options such as capping (to eliminate any direct contact exposure to soil) and vapor barriers (to eliminate any exposure to vapors in a building).  Although Evergreen has not developed any Cleanup Plans yet, it is anticipated that exposure barriers will be one of the remedial options that will be considered in accordance with the PADEP’s capping guidance.  The effects of sea-level rise and/or flooding will be evaluated as part of the Cleanup Plans.