Connecticut Brownfield Sites

Background More than 290 sites in Connecticut have been identified as “Brownfield Sites.” These are parcels of property once used for industrial, commercial or manufacturing and are now typically abandoned due to suspected contamination. Often these unused parcels adversely affect the quality of living in the area and may pose potential health risks to local citizens. Financial assistance is available from the state and federal governments to assess and remediate these sites

What are ‘Brownfield Sites’? 1990’s- Fed. And State Government decided to take action on land that was sitting unused because of the potential hazards that they contained. Unknown liabilities were preventing communities from restoring these sites.

What are ‘Brownfield Sites’? CT- state remediation programs and standards are in place to help promote the cleanup and redevelopment of sites. Connecticut Remediation Standard Regulations

Federal Brownfields Law Jan. 11, 2002- Federal Law expands assistance for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revitilization , and job training.

Stages of Brownfield Remediation Inventory of Sites: what’s there and how much Assessment: Can reclamation occur? Funding: Federal and/or Private Amount required for each stage of redevelopment Remedial Design and Construction Apply appropriate technology to clean or contain pollution 13 approved clean-up technologies just for USTs Each site clean-up is specific to the pollutants and geology of that site Package site for sale or development

Assessment Develop understanding of: Impact on the environment Type of pollutants Horizontal & vertical extent of pollution Impact on the environment Are streams, lakes, rivers polluted? Is the underground water table polluted? Is the pollution localized or widespread? Are plants/animals affected?

Brownfields and You!

Brownfields and You!

Possible Contaminants Possible source of contamination Heavy metals: arsenic, cadmium chromium, lead, mercury metal finishing/plating shops, manufacturing and foundries, coal burning power plants and landfills Gasoline/constituents of gasoline:  gasoline, benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene gasoline stations, tank farms, pipelines Solvents:  tetrachloroethlyene, trichloroethylene,  III-trichloroethane dry cleaners, machine shops, metal finishing/plating shops Petroleum products                                    leaking underground storage tank               methane gas                                   decomposing waste materials found in landfills            PAH (polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons) PAHs are a group of over 100 different chemicals formed during the incomplete burning of many things including coal, oil, garbage, and cigarettes. Methane gas decomposing waste materials present in landfills. explosive chemicals that are designed and produced for use as an explosive (e.g., TNT, explosive bolts, bullets, blasting caps, and fireworks). Explosives manufacturing company

Case Study: Waterbury, CT Development – Brass Mill Center Mall The long defunct, brass manufacturing center, once comprised of more than 90 decaying buildings Processed brass until alternate/cheaper alternatives available 100-acre downtown site, was prepared for a rebirth.

Case Study: Waterbury, CT Development – Brass Mill Center Mall Removal of asbestos, lead paint, metals, solvents, oil, machinery, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contaminated materials. Over 200,000 cubic yards of debris was removed or recycled Soil vapor extraction and on-site treatment were used to treat the 155,000 tons of tainted soil.

Case Study: Waterbury, CT Development – Brass Mill Center Mall The entire demolition and remediation was completed well ahead of schedule and under budget construction of the 1,300,000 square foot Brass Mill Center was then completed

To be answered: General description of site: Contaminants: Name, Location, Site Definition Contaminants: Types in location, Why are they there, affects on environment Investigation formulate a question about the site that may be answered through scientific investigation and to design the investigation. Do not worry about the specific steps needed to isolate the contaminant or specific techniques used to measure the contaminant’s effect on the environment. Focus on writing a general plan for your investigation including the independent and dependent variables to be studied, general procedures you will follow and the data you will collect.