Further Tests Still Elusive Near Former Duracell Site

Residential soil sampling, to determine any potential environmental hazards in the vicinity of the former Duracell battery plant in Sleepy Hollow, has yet to begin, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

New testing was called for back in December 2009 after joint DEC and Department of Health testing found evidence of continued lead and mercury contamination in soils on residential properties in the area of Andrews Lane, Beekman Avenue and Kendall Avenue. A total of 36 out of 39 properties that were tested for heavy metals in May of 2009 came back with traces of lead and mercury contamination that exceeded state standards that were adopted in 2006.

As a result, the DEC said it would conduct more testing in the surrounding neighborhoods to see how far contamination may have spread from the site of the former battery plant, which is now covered by a municipal parking lot at the corner of Elm Street and Andrews Lane. A total of 150 residences were identified for further tests, but according to the DEC, getting approval for residential access has hindered efforts to move forward with more sampling.

"Back in the spring we were in the field because we were initiating efforts to gain access to the properties around the site to conduct the investigation," NYS DEC Spokesman Maureen Wren said. "But there wasn't any new sampling that took place in the spring."

Wren said that notices were sent out to all of the 150 households, but only about half of the residences gave approvals for the DEC to take soil samples from their property for testing,

"We were anticipating having the investigation start this summer," Wren said. "We did need to first be able to gain that access, so we began our letters to the property owners at the end of April and gave them several weeks to respond."

However, access is not the only issue; a remediation work plan is still being hammered out between the DEC and the Gillette Corporation, which bought Duracell back in 1996.

"Basically that's the plan Gillette will need to follow, the tests to perform, and the scope of the investigation as a whole, and the data from that would be used to develop the cleanup action," Wren said. 

Wren said the company might be close to finalizing the agreement, and an announcement on the matter could be coming soon. Once the agreement has been reached, testing will begin on off-site properties that will build upon the tests that were conducted last year. After that first phase, sampling investigation could expand if contaminants are deemed to be in areas outside of the testing perimeter. 

The contamination problems in the area are the result of mercuric oxide batteries that were produced between 1945 and 1974. Large exhaust fans from the Duracell plant spread the hazardous by-products of battery production mainly to properties located to the south and east.

Duracell closed the plant in 1984, citing the high cost of taxes, fuel and upkeep.

A cleanup of the site and eight adjacent properties took place between 1988 and 1993. The site was declared satisfactory by the DEC in 1994. What remains of the plant is now covered by a village-maintained parking lot.

In 2003, the village of Sleepy Hollow bought the site from the Gillette corporation for  $1, and in return indemnified the company from future lawsuits arising from the condition of the site. Gillette has agreed to fully participate with the investigation and possible cleanup action.

For project concerns, contact:

Mr. Dan Lanners

Project Manager

1-866-520-2334 or 518-402-9662

For site-related health questions, contact:

Ms. Fay S. Navratil

Department of Health

1-800-458-1158, Ext. 27880