The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is moving forward with a plan to remediate toxic contamination at the former Philips Lighting Company site in Bath.
The 39-acre industrial property on State Route 54 closed in 2014 and was demolished in 2020. Before Philips Lighting, the site was used by Westinghouse Electric Corporation and has been an industrial facility since 1951.
An investigation by the DEC found high levels of trichloroethene (TCE), a chemical that can harm the central nervous system and damage the liver and kidneys, in soil as deep as 35 feet. Officials say the contamination has spread into a regional groundwater aquifer and is now affecting neighboring properties.
The site previously manufactured a range of items, including vacuum and receiver tubes, mercury vapor lamps, filament wires, metal halide arc tubes, halogen bulbs, and other industrial materials. State officials suggest improper storage and handling of chemicals may have contributed to the contamination.
The DEC will review reports from applicants proposing cleanup plans. Draft plans will be shared with the public for comment before remediation begins. Cleanup efforts are intended to make the property safe for reuse and redevelopment.
Officials say the DEC will continue to monitor the site and take steps to mitigate off-site contamination as needed.
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