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Introduction

Troy, located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River and the western edge of Rensselaer County, is a city in the State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. The city shares a close association with the neighboring cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly known as the Capital District. The city's motto, "Ilium fuit, Troja est," means "Ilium was, Troy is." Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area was inhabited by the Mohican Indian Tribe, and the Dutch started settling in the mid-17th century under the patroon Kiliaen van Rensselaer.

Steel Work in Troy

During the 19th century and the early 20th century, Troy was not only one of the most affluent cities in New York State, but also one of the most successful cities in the country. The city's substantial wealth was generated primarily from the steel industry, which initially relied on charcoal and iron ore from the Adirondacks.

The Burden Iron Works, also known as H. Burden & Sons was a hallmark of industrial innovation during the 19th century. The company produced horseshoes that were used by the Union Army, railroad spikes for tracks that spanned the continental United States, and rivets. The strategic location of Troy allowed the Burden Iron Works to receive raw materials and ship finished goods via river, canals, and railroads that were situated nearby. At the peak of its operations, the company was one of the largest employers in Troy, with over 1,400 workers.

As the 19th century drew to a close, the fortunes of the Burden Iron Company declined. The brothers who inherited the business after their father's (Henry Burden) passing had a contentious relationship. While they fought and ultimately failed to keep the Iron Company afloat, the iron industry was relocating to areas where coal and raw materials were more readily available. In 1940, the Republic Steel Corporation acquired the remaining assets of the company, primarily interested in the blast furnace. Most of the other buildings were demolished, and the office was converted into a storage facility.

Republic Steel Corporation Superfund Site

The Republic Steel Corporation site in Troy, New York was named a Superfund site due to the presence of hazardous waste and environmental contamination. The site had a long history of industrial activity, including iron and steel production, that resulted in the release of pollutants and hazardous materials into the soil and groundwater. In addition, the site's close proximity to the Hudson River increased the risk of contamination spreading to nearby waterways. In the 1970s, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began investigating the site and found that it posed a significant risk to human health and the environment. The EPA added the site to its Superfund list in 1984. The cleanup of the Republic Steel Corporation site began in the 1990s and included the removal of contaminated soil and groundwater, as well as the installation of systems to treat and manage hazardous waste. Today, the site is still being monitored and managed by the EPA.

Remedial Methods

Removal of hazardous materials: Hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, and PCBs were removed and disposed of according to strict environmental regulations.

Groundwater treatment: A groundwater treatment system was installed to remove contaminants from the groundwater. The system consisted of a series of wells, pumps, and filters that were used to treat and discharge contaminated water.

Soil excavation and treatment: Contaminated soil was excavated and treated with chemicals to reduce the concentration of hazardous substances.

Cap and cover: A cap and cover system was installed to contain the remaining contamination on the site. The system consisted of a layer of clean soil and an impermeable membrane to prevent the spread of contaminants.

Present Day

The industrial activity associated with steel and iron production, which was prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, resulted in the release of pollutants and hazardous materials into the air, water, and soil. The production of steel and iron required the burning of significant amounts of coal and other fossil fuels in order to heat and melt raw materials. This process produced large quantities of air pollution, including sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which has had a detrimental impact on the air quality in Troy. This has resulted in a myriad of health problems for residents and workers in the area, most notably, respiratory illness. In addition to air pollution, steel and iron production also produced large quantities of hazardous waste, including heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other toxic substances. Though the Republic Steel Corporation site has since been archived by the EPA, the effects of these contaminants are still seen to this day.