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Site Type: Site Awaiting NPL Decision (SAND) 
PERKIN ELMER CORPORATION
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map of site |
| WILTON, Connecticut |
| FAIRFIELD County |
| Street Address: | 77 DANBURY ROAD
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| Zip Code: | 06897 |
Congressional
District(s): |
05 |
| EPA ID #: | CTD082662289 |
| Site ID #: | 0101741 |
| Site Alias: | |
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Description
This site is currently designated by EPA as "Other Cleanup Activity - State Lead". This means that further investigation and any necessary cleanup actions are being performed under the state agency's supervision in accordance with state program requirements. EPA and the state have agreed that no further steps will be taken by the federal Superfund remedial program to evaluate this site, pending completion of the activities being performed in accordance with the state program requirements. Upon receipt of documentation from the state that all necessary actions have been completed, EPA will consider whether any further actions are appropriate by the federal Superfund program or if the site should be archived from CERCLIS.
For current information on the status of activities at this site, please contact the state at the number provided below.
The Perkin Elmer Corporation (Perkin Elmer) property (property) is located at 71, 73, and 77 Danbury Road in Wilton, Fairfield County, Connecticut. The 29.3-acre property is currently privately owned, and consists of four buildings, lawns, and parking lots. The remainder of the property is occupied by cooling towers and liquid nitrogen and helium tanks. The property is bordered to the south and east by the Norwalk River; to the west by railroad tracks; and to the north by a bedrock ridge, and undeveloped woods and wetlands.
Three separate parcels of land (71, 73, and 77 Danbury Road) were purchased by Perkin Elmer from 1965 to 1981, and were subsequently combined into one lot. Before the parcels were consolidated, they were occupied by a lumber yard, gas station, warehouse, veterinary hospital, and a short wave radio manufacturer. From 1966 to 1990, Perkin Elmer manufactured optical products and semiconductors on the property. In 1990, Perkin Elmer sold the business and operations to SVG Lithographics, while still retaining ownership of the property. The optical parts are made by rough grinding, trimming, edging, and polishing silica glass. Parts are cleaned and etched with a freon vapor degreaser, toluene, acetone, trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and sulfuric and acetic acid. Reflective coatings of aluminum, gold, and silver are applied to the optical components. Additionally, beryllium-containing optical components were manufactured on the property until 1991. Wastes generated on the property include wastewater from semiconductor testing, deionized semiconductor system backwash, mirror etching wastewater, glass grinding wastewater and sludge, beryllium grinding sludge, waste acids, oils, and solvents. Between 1964 and 1967, wastes generated on the property were discharged into an on-site septic system. From 1967 to 1977, treated wastewater was discharged into the Norwalk River; and after 1977, wastewater was discharged into the sanitary sewer system. From 1969 to 1980, silica glass grinding sludge containing metals and solvents was dewatered in a gravel-lined pit on the property. In 1990, soil samples were collected from inside the septic system, and from borings surrounding the property. Areas of concern include several underground storage tanks (USTs), a former sludge pit, 12 drums, and two hazardous waste storage areas. Analytical results and waste water samples indicated the presence of three volatile organic compounds (VOCs), two semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), one polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), and 11 metals including lead and cyanide. In 1991, soil and sludge samples were collected from and near the septic system and indicated the presence of two VOCs, one PCB, three metals including lead, and petroleum hydrocarbons. Previous investigations at the property include an inspection in 1982 by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP), a Preliminary Assessment in 1988, and a Site Investigation (SI) in 1992.
Groundwater occurs in overburden at a depth of approximately 5.71 to 10.50 feet (ft), and flow direction is to the southeast. The estimated population served by public and private groundwater drinking water supply wells within 4-radial miles of the property is 58,007. The nearest public drinking water supply wells are located approximately 2.80 miles south of the property; the nearest private drinking water supply well is located approximately 750 feet northwest of the property. Analytical results of groundwater monitoring well samples collected in March 1990 indicated the presence of two VOCs, petroleum hydrocarbons, and three metals including lead. In August 1990, additional groundwater samples were collected, and analytical results indicated the presence of one VOC and eight metals including lead. In August 1991, groundwater samples were collected and analytical results indicated the presence of five metals including lead. Analytical results of groundwater samples collected in May 1992 indicated the presence of 13 metals including lead. Based on the proximity of nearby drinking water supply wells and the direction of groundwater flow, impacts to nearby groundwater drinking water supply sources are suspected.
Stormwater runoff from the property flows either directly or indirectly via catchbasins and an underground channel into the Norwalk River. The Norwalk River flows south and empties into Long Island Sound. There are no known surface water drinking water intakes located along the 15-mile downstream pathway. Sensitive environments located downstream of the property include a Clean Water Act (CWA)-protected water body; an unknown amount of wetland frontage within 0.5 miles of the property; a fishery; and spawning, nesting, wintering, and feeding habitats for local birds, fish, and shellfish. The property is located within the 100-year floodplain of the Norwalk River. Analytical results of sediment samples collected in 1992 from the unnamed stream downstream of the former discharge point indicated the presence of 20 SVOCs, eight pesticides, three PCBs, and two metals. One VOC was detected in a sediment sample collected from the location where an unnamed stream merges with the Norwalk River. Based on these results, a CWA-protected water body, wetlands, and a fishery have been impacted.
Approximately 2,024 people reside within 1-radial mile of the property. Additionally, 425 employees work on the property. The nearest residence is located 750 ft northeast of the property. Access to the property is unrestricted. Based on the site observations and conditions, proximity to nearby residences, and the presence of hazardous substances in on-site surface soils, potential impacts to nearby residential populations are suspected.
An estimated 58,827 people and 6.24 acres of wetlands occur within 4-radial miles of the property. No habitats for Federal- or State-listed threatened or endangered species are reported within 4-radial miles of the property. No known laboratory qualitative air samples have been collected from the property. Based on available data, no impacts to nearby residential populations or sensitive environments are known or suspected.
The last known action at the property was a SI completed in November 1992, which concluded that there was potential for human and environmental exposure to impacted sediment, groundwater, or surface water on the property.
Current Status
Photos
Links to Other Information
Public Record Locations
EPA New England Records Center, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 918-1440
Contacts
| Gerardo Millán-Ramos |
| Site Assessment Manager |
| Address: | One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (HBS)
Boston, MA 02114-2023 |
| Phone #: | 617-918-1377 |
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| E-Mail Address: | millan-ramos.gerardo@epa.gov |
| Department of Environmental Protection |
| State Agency Contact |
| Address: | 79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06105-5127 |
| Phone #: | (860)424-3873 |
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| E-Mail Address: | |
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