The New York State Superfund Program, which identifies, investigates, and works to clean up sites where the disposal of hazardous waste may be a threat to public health, has designated the location of W.F. Lake Corporation in Glens Falls, 65 Park Road, a Superfund Site. The company was founded in 1991.
“Recent environmental investigations have identified elevated concentrations of poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS),” an announcement from DEC said. “These chemicals were released from the W.F. Lake facility and resulted in the potential for people to be exposed to site-related contaminants through direct contact with soils or contaminated surface water, and groundwater.”
According to W.F. Lake’s web page, they were founded in a residential garage at 65 Park Road. From that location they began making PTFE coated fiberglass yarns and sewing threads. They shortly thereafter moved from the garage to a dedicated manufacturing site, now more than 50,000 square feet, making PTFE coated fiberglass fabrics, adhesive tapes, belting, yarns, threads, cord, and braided products.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the most widely used synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene. Originally discovered by DuPont in 1938, PTFE is now used as a non-stick coating for pans and other cookware (Telfon), in containers and pipework for reactive and corrosive chemicals, as a lubricant, a surgical graft material, to coat catheters, and more.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) maintains a list of sites in the Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites (Registry). The W.F. Lake Corp, was added as a Class 2 site that presents a significant threat to public health and/or the environment.
Additional investigation is required to further define the area of contamination and better understand exposure pathways. The next steps involve conducting a remedial investigation to determine the nature and extent of contamination at the site and cleanup options.
Comments and questions should be directed to:
Project Related Questions Anthony Bollasina, Project Manager NYS Department of Environmental Conservation 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-7013 anthony.bollasina@dec.ny.gov518-402-9676
Site Related Health Questions Stephen Lawrence NYSDOH BEEI Corning Tower, Room 1787 Albany, NY 12237 BEEI@health.ny.gov, (518) 402-786.
Map of 65 Park Road Glens Falls Superfund Site.
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