The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is conducting its second Five-Year Review for Area 1 at the former Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The purpose of a Five-Year Review is to determine whether the remedial actions remain protective of human health and the environment at sites where hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants remain. In addition, the Five-Year Review will make recommendations to address any issues if they are identified during the review.
The Frankford Arsenal started operating as an arsenal in 1816. A wide variety of ordnance-related activities took place over the years including the development of artillery and infantry equipment, providing testing of musket and rifle powder, development and manufacturing of small arms and ammunition, and many other research and development initiatives. The arsenal was closed in 1977.
To improve efficiency with the clean-up activities at the former Frankford Arsenal, the Corps of Engineers divided the site into four active projects (Area 1, Area 2, Area 3, and Groundwater). This Five-Year Review focuses on Area 1 soils where previous environmental investigations identified metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Based on soil removal activities previously completed over the years, the Corps of Engineers determined that No Further Action was necessary to protect human health or the environment in its 2015 Decision Document. However, since the selected remedy did not allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure, this Five-Year Review is being conducted to ensure the remedy remains protective.
After completion, estimated for August 2025, the Five-Year Review report will be available to the public online, along with other project documents and reports, at www.nab.usace.army.mil/frankford.
For more information about the project or to provide feedback regarding the remedial actions that have been implemented for consideration as part of the Five-Year Review, please contact Todd Beckwith, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project Manager, at 410-962-6782 or todd.t.beckwith@usace.army.mil.