Source: http://triblive.com, December 2, 2016
By: Mary Ann Thomas

More than 50 Cheswick residents who crammed into a borough meeting room Thursday were satisfied with the state’s plan to cap radioactive contamination at a commercial site that stood near Cheswick Avenue and Pittsburgh Street.

In 2010, a state Department of Environmental Protection researcher found news articles and documents identifying potential contamination at the former Keystone Metals Reduction, a small plant that produced radium-226 in the 1920s. The radioactive element was used for paint to illuminate watch faces and for medical and consumer goods.

DEP reassured the public at Thursday night’s meeting the 3.5-acre site, owned by the North American Fencing Corp., does not pose a threat to the public.

“We don’t see a path to surrounding properties,” said Bryan Werner, DEP radiation protection program manager. Even though radon, a byproduct of radium-226 and a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is a concern on the site, nearby properties should not be affected.

However, he added, homeowners should, especially in a state where radon is common, have a radon test conducted.

Calls to North American Fencing Corp. on Thursday evening were not immediately returned. Previously, Richard Holsing, president of the company declined to comment.

There is about 6,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil that is already covered with dirt. Most of the contamination is limited to the footprint of the former radium plant and a nearby railroad spur.

The agency proposes adding another 4.5 feet of soil and limiting the use of the site for commercial use.

The site’s groundwater is contaminated about 400 feet from drinking water wells used by the Municipal Authority of Harmar. The authority provides water to 3,000 households in Harmar, Cheswick and Springdale Township. The water contamination doesn’t seem to be moving from the former Keystone site, DEP officials said.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, only one person presented a concern. Springdale Councilman David Spirk was concerned if the contamination could impact his community’s drinking water wells a mile away. After the meeting, he said he was satisfied with DEP’s answers but was waiting for results of other studies on the site and wanted the borough to receive groundwater testing results in the future.

Henry Kuczynski, 93, of Spruce Street wanted reassurance from DEP about his safety.

“What can I expect when that site is only 110 feet away from my bedroom? How safe is it,” he asked.

Dawna Saunders, DEP geologist replied, “There’s no risk and there is no impact on neighboring properties.”

The cleanup, which will be paid for by the state’s hazardous waste cleanup fund, could begin this same time next year, she said.

The public has until Jan. 30 to comment on the DEP plan before the agency makes a final decision. Comments should be sent to Dawna Saunders, Project Manager, DEP, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.