October 2005

Manufacturing electronic products has long been part of the economic history of the San Francisco Bay Area. However, manufacturing processes can result in hazardous materials being released into the environment. Located in the City of Mountain View, a city known for its place at the forefront of technology is the TRW/VIDAR site. Contamination found at this site was not only caused by activities by TRW and VIDAR, but also by a neighboring electronics manufacturer, Plessey Micro Science. The quantity and nature of the substances released by both companies prompted concerns over public health.

Read Original Article at CA DTSC web site.

High levels of hazardous metals, along with various Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were found at the TRW/VIDAR site. In 1998, cleanup of the site was ordered by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) through an Imminent and Substantial Endangerment Determination Order (ISE). Based on area topography, it was determined that the VOC contamination of both sites originated from the Plessey Micro Science property. Soils were not significantly impacted by contamination and were easily remediated. However, groundwater needed to be cleaned up because of extensive contamination.

Initially, site cleanup was to be completed by TRW/VIDAR and monitored by DTSC. Developers interested in reuse of the area bought the property shortly after the ISE was issued. The developers entered into a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement with DTSC to cleanup the contaminants so the site would meet residential standards. The developers adhered to the Remedial Action Plan recommended by DTSC and following completion of cleanup in 2002, development of the site began.

Brownfields reuse projects provide benefits to local communities by removing possible health hazards and boosting the local economy. The residential housing development will provide the City of Mountain View with $300,000 in property taxes, in addition to meeting housing demands in an area where the population continues to increase. These changes benefit Mountain View residents who have found aesthetic value in a former industrial area.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 10:18 pm and is filed under ●Brownfields Success Stories.

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