EPA and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass) have reached a settlement that will resolve violations of federal polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) regulations at the Lederle Graduate Research Center.

After completing a $4 million caulk decontamination project in 2009, UMass discovered that the window glazing at the Lederle Graduate Research Center was contaminated with high levels of PCBs. Further sampling of the window glazing revealed PCBs at concentrations of 50 ppm or greater , which are levels not authorized for use under the PCB regulations.

The long-term remedy called for in this settlement requires replacing and disposing of all 900 PCB-contaminated windows currently installed at the Research Center, at a cost of about $3 million. The long-term project is expected to take 15 years, and will allow UMass to plan for and incorporate this capital expense into other building upgrade projects.

To reduce the likelihood of unsafe exposure to PCBs while the long-term project is taking place, EPA has approved an interim plan to encapsulate the contaminated window glazing. The settlement also requires a comprehensive long-term monitoring and reporting plan. That plan requires UMass to take annual surface wipe and air samples, address any exceedances of cleanup levels, and report results.

The cost of implementing the interim measures is about $560,000. The settlement agreement also includes a $75,000 civil penalty that will be waived if both the long-term remediation plan and interim encapsulation plan are completed.