The BoRit Asbestos Site was used, from the early 1900s to the late 1960s, to dispose of asbestos-containing material (ACM) that came from a nearby asbestos products manufacturing plant. The site is divided into three parcels: An asbestos waste pile, a reservoir, and a closed park.

 

The asbestos waste pile, approximately 25-feet high, is on a six-acre piece of land owned by Kane-Core, Inc. The waste pile covers approximately two-and-a-half acres.

The Reservoir is owned by the Wissahickon Waterfowl Preserve. The berm (walls) of the Reservoir is believed to be constructed of asbestos shingles, millboard and soil.

 

Asbestos product waste, such as piping and tiles, was visible surrounding the Reservoir and the stream banks.

A closed, 11-acre park parcel is owned by Whitpain Township. This former disposal area was filled with asbestos wastes and eventually used as a park and playground. In the mid-1980s, the park was closed and fenced due to asbestos contamination.

 

The BoRit site was added to the EPA's National Priorities List of the most hazardous waste sites on April 9, 2009, making it eligible for cleanup using federal Superfund program funding. EPA retains the right to pursue responsible parties for reimbusement of funds at all Superfund sites.

 

The site is on the National Priorities List for cleanup because the nearby residential population could potentially be exposed to airborne asbestos and to asbestos contamination in and along Tannery Run, Rose Valley Creek and the Wissahickon Creek.

 

For more information about asbestos in the Ambler area, please visit: www.epa.gov/ambler