Environmental Cleanup Within The Corning Area

Corning, Steuben County

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) are overseeing the investigation and implementation of remedial activities in Corning, New York, associated with the past disposal of waste materials containing Ash, Brick, and Glass (ABG) from historic glassmaking. DEC established this webpage to provide the public with information about the completed, ongoing, and planned investigation and remedial activities.

Background History

The city of Corning 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 as Corning Flint Glass Works, has grown and evolved over the years, including changing its name to Corning Glass Works before assuming its current name. The following is a photo of Corning Flint Glass Works, circa 1910 (Courtesy of Steuben County Historical Society)

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" and worked with DEC and DOH to conduct additional environmental sampling. DEC required the cleanup of residential properties within the Study Area, including the removal of soil up to two feet below ground surface if it exceeds residential SCOs or contains ABG. Remedial activities are ongoing pursuant to DEC-approved remedial designs.

Since the initial investigation of the Study Area, other areas that contain, or are suspected to contain, ABG have been identified around Corning. As additional properties are identified, DEC is conducting further investigations to determine the appropriate approach to examine and clean up those sites.

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.

The Remedial Process

In accordance with New York State's Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site Program, properties across Corning that have been identified by DEC are going through a process of investigation, evaluation, cleanup, and monitoring.

The remedial process begins with the discovery of a potentially hazardous waste site - in this case, sites impacted by ABG and/or ABG-related contaminants - and follows the path described below.

• A Site Characterization is DEC's first investigation of a site where hazardous waste has, or may have, been disposed of illegally or improperly. Site Characterizations may involve:
  • Excavating test pits;
  • Monitoring well installations and soil/sediment borings; and
  • Collecting surface soil, subsurface soil, sediment, surface water, and/or groundwater samples for analytical testing.
• Based on the results of the Site Characterization, a Determination of a Hazardous Waste Site is made. This dictates whether the site should be added to the DEC Registry of Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites and if any further action is necessary. DEC will evaluate next steps in consultation with DOH.
• Once a site has been added to the registry, a Remedial Investigation is to be completed to collect additional data and assist with remedy selection. Data is evaluated to determine the impacts and risks due to the contaminants in the soil. Remedial Investigation data is then used in a Feasibility Study to evaluate remedial options and inform the selection of the recommended remedy.
  • 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.
• The Remedial Design Process begins once a remedy is selected. DEC meets with residents to review remedial designs prior to excavation and/or other remedial work. Property owners are encouraged to offer input on remedial designs, particularly with respect to the restoration of their own property. Once remedial designs are finalized and approved by both DEC and the property owner, construction activities are scheduled.
• During Remedy Implementation, the excavation and/or other remedial activities are carried out in accordance with the approved remedial design. Soil that is removed is disposed of at a permitted facility and material that is brought in to backfill remedial excavations is tested for contaminants.
  • Remedial work includes the restoration of site features (e.g., landscaping, hardscaping, etc.). Additionally:
    • Trees may be removed to facilitate remediation, but may be kept in some cases, at the request of the property owner and with approval from DEC. A Tree Preservation Plan has been prepared for the Study Area, which describes the approach for protection and/or removal and replacement of trees located within or near delineated remediation boundaries.
    • Property restoration activities often include the installation of sod and plantings. It is recommended that property owners follow the instructions in the Sod Maintenance Guide (PDF, 221 KB) to maintain health and promote longevity of grass and other plantings.
  • During this part of the process, an Interim Site Management Plan (ISMP) is often developed to ensure potential health exposures are properly addressed. This ISMP will be replaced by a final Site Management Plan (SMP) as discussed below under "What Happens Once Remediation is Complete."
• A No Further Action (NFA) With Site Management Letter and a Construction Completion Report (CCR) are sent by DEC to the property owner once remediation is complete. The CCR includes information regarding work completed at the property, a Site Management Guide, and an informational pamphlet to help property owners recognize ABG.

When Remediation is Complete

An SMP is created for each site that identifies all use restrictions and engineering controls and details the steps that the property owner should take to ensure that the remedy remains protective. In the event an ISMP was developed during the remediation process, the SMP will replace the ISMP.

Property owners will receive an NFA/CCR package, including a Study Area Site Management Newsletter to share specific site management information, descriptions of the institutional and engineering controls, notifications required under the SMP, and potential post-restoration questions and/or issues. The NFA/CCR package also contains a guide to identifying ABG in the environment. The documents are available in the online repository.

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

Current Status

There are sites and areas of concern throughout Corning that are being investigated. Instructions for accessing documents associated with each site can be found below (see "Document Access and Contact Information").

Area-Wide Study

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.

Field investigations began in 2023. Once field activities have been completed and preliminary analytical results are received, next steps will be evaluated. 

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

Samantha Salotto, P.E.
NYSDEC, Project Manager
(518) 402-9903, [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]