Welcome

Site Last Updated: October 5, 2022

This site serves as a source of news and information for the residents of Rouses Point, New York and the surrounding region regarding the status of the former pharmaceutical manufacturing site located at the intersection of Maple Street and Academy Street in Rouses Point.

Site Status

In November, 2018, Pfizer sold the former Pfizer/Wyeth/Ayerst Laboratories site in Rouses Point, New York to ERS Investors (ERS) of New York City, New York. ERS is moving forward with activities in support of their redevelopment plans.

Under the sale agreement, Pfizer retained responsibility for certain corrective measures as required under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program overseen by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).  Pfizer is coordinating its activities with ERS to help facilitate redevelopment.

Since 2006, several phases of investigation and a number of Interim Corrective Measures have been performed at the site. Pfizer continues to actively work with the NYSDEC, and other stakeholders, to achieve final closure. In 2015, the NYSDEC issued a positive Environmental Indicator Determination for the site, signifying that human exposures to contamination are under control. In 2016, the NYSDEC issued a positive Environmental Indicator Determination related to groundwater, indicating that the migration of impacted groundwater has stabilized and is under control.

In 2008 and 2009, Pfizer conducted a series of soil vapor investigations in the residential neighborhood east and south of the site. Sub-slab soil vapor concentrations of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected beneath some structures during the sampling program; however, indoor air results were generally within the range of expected background concentrations and were comparable to outdoor air samples collected at the same time. Indoor air sampling conducted at the Rouses Point Elementary School in 2008 and again 2014 found samples to be within the range of acceptable results.

As a precautionary/preventative measure and in consultation with NYSDEC and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), sub-slab depressurization systems were installed at 36 properties. In the ensuing years, Pfizer implemented In-situ Chemical Oxidation as an Interim Corrective Measure in targeted locations to address VOC impacts in groundwater.

Following interim groundwater treatment efforts, Pfizer reassessed the properties with existing systems to evaluate the necessity of continued operation. To date, four systems have been shut-down and evaluations on other properties are performed on a periodic basis.

In 2020, at the request of the NYSDEC and NYSDOH, Pfizer completed an evaluation for potential soil vapor intrusion at additional off-site properties to the north and south of the Site. The evaluation, as approved by NYSDEC and NYSDOH, concluded that sub-slab depressurization systems in additional off-site properties to the north and south of the Site were not needed.

Guiding Principles

In close cooperation with the NYSDEC and NYSDOH, site investigations and corrective measures to address RCRA Corrective Action Requirements are being performed under these guiding principles:

  • Corrective measures will be protective of human health and the environment;
  • Work will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
  • Safety is paramount; and,
  • Community concerns and stakeholder input will be respected.