Environmental Cleanup Within The Corning Area

Corning, Steuben County

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) along with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) have been overseeing the investigation and implementation of remedial activities associated with past disposal of waste materials from the historical glass producing industry in the greater Corning area.  DEC established this webpage to provide the public with information about the completed, ongoing, and planned investigation and remedial activities.

Background History

This area has a long history of manufacturing, is world-renowned for glassmaking, and is home to the corporate headquarters of Corning Incorporated. The company, founded in 1868, has grown and evolved over the years. By 1944, Corning Glass Works (as it was known) had five industrial glass producing plants in Corning NY, including the Main Plant, Fall Brook Plant, Pressware Plant, Pot and Clay Plant, and Steuben Glass. Throughout its history, Corning Glass Works produced millions of tons of glass in the forms of thousands of different products. The current name, Corning Incorporated, wasn’t used until 1989.
 

Image Credit

Steuben County Historical Society, www.corningfingerlakes.com

In 2012, workers encountered ABG in excavations while completing facility improvement projects at Corning-Painted Post (CPP) High School. Historically used to fill in low-lying areas and to address flood impacts, ABG represents a potential human health hazard and is considered a nuisance condition that requires evaluation per DEC's Commissioner's Policy (CP-51), Section G.

Samples collected at the work site were evaluated against New York State's soil cleanup objectives (SCOs). Results indicated the presence of metals, including arsenic, barium, chromium, and mercury, and elevated concentrations of lead and cadmium. As a result, about 20% of excavated soils were determined to be hazardous waste.

In response, Corning Incorporated agreed to further investigate the nature and extent of ABG within the Study Area, Site No. 851046 and worked with DEC and DOH to conduct additional environmental sampling. The Study Area includes five Operable Units (OUs). 

OU1, OU2, and OU5 includes the Houghton Plot residential properties.

OU3 includes the Corning Painted-Post Highschool properties as well as the Corning Christian Academy.

OU4 is a portion of the flood control lands. 

Most of the properties in the Study Area have been remediated and are under in Site Management.  OU1, OU2, & OU5 has a final Site Management Plan (PDF), OU3 has an Interim Site Management Plan (PDF) while the Site Management Plan is finalized.  These identifies all use restrictions and engineering controls and details the steps that the property owner should take to ensure that the remedy remains protective. 

Industrial Wastes of Corning

The primary types of industrial wastes that have been identified throughout the Corning area include ABG. An identification manual is available to help property owners determine if they are encountering exposed ABG on their property.

DEC Coordination with City of Corning Projects

The pre-design investigations (PDI) for William Street (and Hillvue) Park, Site No. 851055 and McKinney Park, Site No. 851056 were completed in June 2025. The results of those investigations are available for review in their respective PDI Report, which are now available on the DECinfo Locator under each site number. The draft Interim Remedial Measure (IRM) Work Plans for each park are now available for a 30-day comment period and can also be found on the DECinfo Locator under each site number. 

The pre-design investigations for the Denison Park, Site No. 851066 and City of Corning Fire Department, Site No. 851050 sites are expected to begin late 2025. 

Glass Manufacturing Waste Disposal Area Study 

There are several sites and areas of concern throughout Corning, NY, that are being investigated. As additional properties are identified, DEC is conducting further investigations to determine the appropriate approach for eliminating potential exposure. 

DEC is conducting an area-wide investigation in consultation with the DOH. The overall objectives include:

• Identifying the extent of areas impacted by ABG and/or ABG-related contaminants in Corning,
• Evaluating if groundwater is impacted by metals and other contaminants related to ABG, and
• Conducting preliminary screening to determine the potential for aerial deposition from past glass manufacturing/disposal practices. 

Once field activities have been completed and preliminary analytical results are received, next steps will be evaluated.

The Remedial Process

As the DEC investigates other properties in the greater Corning, New York, area it will follow a series of steps in the remedial process. These steps may vary slightly depending on the amount and type of waste encountered and the location of the waste on public or private property. 

Interim Remedial Measures may be implemented at any point if data indicates that there is an immediate threat to the health and safety of humans and/or the environment. This may include Short-Term Response Actions (e.g., excavations to remove ABG) to protect the public from potential exposures.

Minimizing Exposure at Impacted Sites

DEC is committed to supervising a careful and thorough cleanup of all impacted sites identified in Corning. However, it is possible for a person to come into incidental contact with contaminants in the soil through home maintenance and recreational activities. The following actions can reduce the risk of incidental contact:

• Maintain a grass or mulch cover to help prevent direct contact with the soil,
• Avoid unnecessary digging in the dirt,
• Wash your hands after outdoor activities, and
• Use doormats to help reduce exposure to outdoor soil that might be tracked indoors, and mop floors periodically.

All soil contains naturally occurring metals and microorganisms and, therefore, it is always a good idea to minimize contact with soil, whether it is potentially contaminated or not.

DOH provides the following resources for better understanding exposure and healthy gardening methods:

• About Exposure
• Healthy Gardening: Tips for New and Experienced Gardeners

Document Access and Contact Information

The links below provide access to Work Plans and other documents related to sites in Corning. Complete copies of the documents listed online and other documents pertaining to the investigation and remedial work being conducted in Corning are available in hard copy for public review at the following location:

NYSDEC
Region 8 Office
6274 East Avon-Lima Rd.
Avon, NY 14414
Call ahead for an appointment
585-226-5324

DEC's top priority is ensuring that community members are not exposed to any site-related contamination.

We want to hear from you! Please contact the DEC and DOH teams if you:

• Have information about additional areas not listed above;
• Find ABG on your property;
• Have issues or concerns before, during, or after remedial activities take place on your property;
• Would like to request a meeting with DEC or DOH; or
• Have any other comments or questions about investigation, remediation, or restoration on your property or at properties throughout the Corning area.

For Inquiries Directed to the Agencies:

General Inquiries/Comments for NYSDEC Team
Email: [email protected]
Toll-Free Hotline: (833) 770-1716

Thoren Giannuzzi
NYSDEC, Project Manager
(518) 402-8246, [email protected]

Scott Williams
NYSDEC, Construction Inspector
(585) 773-8034, [email protected]

Jonathan Robinson
NYSDOH, Project Manager
(518) 402-7881, [email protected]

For Inquiries Directed to the Corning Incorporated Team:
Toll-Free Hotline: (866) 256-1902;
Email: [email protected]