EPA Begins Work on American Candle Company Superfund Site

(New York, N.Y.) The removal of abandoned drums containing flammable chemicals is under way at the American Candle Company Superfund site located adjacent to the New York State Thruway in Saugerties, New York. These hazardous materials were stored in a haphazard manner at the site. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will oversee the work on the 41.5-acre property.

“By getting rid of these drums, we will extinguish potential risks posed to the surrounding community by this former candle factory,” said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. “We are also taking the proper steps to restrict access to the property.”

The American Candle site is a former scented candle manufacturing facility that consists of four buildings. EPA’s involvement on this site dates back to 2003 when the owners of American Candle Company voluntarily removed drums and other chemical containers from the premises. The property was sold to 1033 Kings Highway, LLC in January 2005. Through further inspections of the facility conducted by EPA since 2005, more hazardous substances, pollutants and chemicals were found. The buildings on the property were not secured, the utilities had been cut off and there were no heat or fire suppression systems in place. Due to the potential risks the site posed to the community and to people on the premises, 1033 Kings Highway, LLC agreed to perform cleanup work under EPA’s oversight. Work began Monday, June 18, 2007.

The project entails sampling, analysis, building decontamination, and disposal of hazardous materials at the site, as well as securing the property from potential trespassers. The work is expected to be completed in September 2007.