GAS WORKS REMEDIATION IN THE U.S.; PROGRESS AGAINST A COMPLEX GEO-ENVIRONMENTAL THREAT

Remediation of former manufactured gas works (FMGPs) in America began in 1985 by an aggressive U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The effort peaked in 1993 and then was drop-kicked to the States, which have responded variously. Target of the remediation are coal tar (3000 species of semi-volatile organic compounds structured as benzene-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; PAHs; some known as carcinogens), cyanogens and heavy metals. As many as 52,000 former gas works and associated coal-tar sites are in the U.S., concentrated most highly at large cities (Greater NYC has 129). Many FMGPs were judged as “No Further Remedial Action Planned” (NFRAP) for SUPERFUND but remain high threats. Nearly all FMGPs in large cities were NFRAP’d because of economic considerations. PAHs in the environment do not degrade and have geologic lives influenced by geologic host materials and site groundwater conditions. Gas works and associated coal-tar sites operated in America from 1810 to as late as 1987. The author has rated individual State activity in FMGP cleanup. The results range from outstanding (much positive effort) to zero effort and progress. Some States are adversely conflicted by politically lobbying by Responsible Parties. An estimated 500 FMGPs have received some meaningful remedial action since 1985.