NYS Dept of Transportation

Site Description[1]
It is believed that during the construction of the BQE, waste material and debris from the former Ansbacher Color & Dye Factory may have been used as fill material in the project area. A Phase II - type investigation was conducted by the New York State Department of Transportation in 1988. The investigation found hazardous levels of arsenic and lead in the soil and elevated levels of arsenic, lead and cyanide in the groundwater. During the reconstruction of the BQE in the early 1990s, the NYSDOT completed an Interim Remedial Measure (IRM) which removed soil within the project's right-of way. The remaining contaminated soil is located beneath asphalt and concrete. A Preliminary Site Assessment was completed during the summer of 1999 to evaluate the areas outside the BQE footprint. The sampling results indicate that the subsurface soils within the footprint of the former Ansbacher Plant contain elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury. The groundwater in this area is also contaminated with these metals, but the contaminated groundwater has not migrated significantly beyond the footprint of the former factory.

Site Environmental Assessment
Investigations indicate that the subsurface soils within the footprint of the former Ansbacher Plant contain elevated levels of arsenic, lead, and mercury. The groundwater in this area is also contaminated with these metals. The site does not constitute a significant threat to the environment as the contaminated soil is covered by existing layers of asphalt and concrete, and the contaminated groundwater has not migrated significantly beyond the footprint of the former factory.

Site Health Assessment
Residual arsenic and lead contamination remain under the BQE and is covered with several layers of concrete and asphalt, thereby preventing direct contact. Contaminated soil also underlies several on-site buildings formerly used by Ansbacher. Groundwater in the area is not used, since public water is available. Off-site sampling of surface soils from residential yards adjacent to the site indicated the presence of metals (particularly arsenic and lead) at concentrations above the range of concentrations typically encountered in urban neighborhoods. However, the exact source of the metals in the soils could not be determined from the data collected. The NYSDOH gave the residents advice on how to minimize their exposure to these surface soil contaminants.

Contaminants of Concern

Type of Waste	Quantity
LEAD	UNKNOWN
ARSENIC	UNKNOWN