Updated 5-8-2025
This website provides information about the environmental cleanup of the property located at 150 Sohier Road in Beverly, Massachusetts. Investigation and treatment of the site is being conducted in accordance with Massachusetts General Law 21E and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (310 CMR 40.0000). The site is listed with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) as site number 3-0000485, Varian-Microwave Div., and reports can be found in the MassDEP data portal under “Supporting Documents.”
Varian Begins New Phase of Environmental Cleanup
In the past two years, environmental investigations and cleanup of the former Varian site have progressed rapidly. Prior investigations and treatment have been conducted at the site since the 1990s. These efforts were renewed and enhanced starting in 2021. Since then, the Varian project team has worked with the community and MassDEP to conduct additional investigations of indoor air, surface water and sediment, groundwater, soil, and bedrock. An updated risk assessment has been completed based on the additional data.
The risk assessment concluded that site contaminants pose no “significant risk” for local residents and current workers at the former Varian property, with the existing soil vapor treatment systems operating on the property.
Additional treatment is required under state cleanup laws to prevent potential future risk and to limit the future migration of contaminants. In 2022 and 2023, the project team identified and selected updated treatment alternatives for six areas, prepared detailed implementation plans, and has begun installing these systems.
“No Significant Risk” is a regulatory term based on site data. It describes when a contaminant is not present or exists below a level that would cause a defined level of increased risk to human health or the environment.
Figure 1 Site Map and Selected Treatment Areas
Public Outreach
The next public meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2025, at the Beverly Middle School library at 7:00 p.m. The Varian team will provide the status on treatment system installations across the site and review the Phase IV Remedy Implementation Plan Modification. The meeting will be followed by a 20-day public comment period for the Phase IV Remedy Implementation Plan Modification (from May 9 to May 28).
An annual factsheet related to the site was provided to the public involvement plan (PIP) mailing list and residents living proximate to the site. A copy of this factsheet can be viewed at the Beverly Public Library Reference Desk or on the website of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP).
Treatment System Progress
Environmental cleanup is focused on six project areas (figure 1) and summarized below. More information about cleanup progress can be found on our Environmental page.
Building 3 Thermal Treatment
Status: The selected remedy – thermal treatment – was presented in the Phase IV Remedy Implementation Plan (Part 1) and at the June 2023 public meeting. Upon design completion, drilling of thermal wells began in December 2023. Exterior drilling was completed in early January 2025.
Current and upcoming work: Interior drilling began at the end of January 2025, has continued through April, and is expected to last several months.
Tozer Road Groundwater Treatment Barrier
Status: The selected remedy – a groundwater treatment barrier – was presented in the Phase IV Remedy Implementation Plan (Part 1) and at the June 2023 public meeting. Pre-design investigation activities and barrier design were completed in October and December 2024, respectively. The Phase IV Plan Modification includes refining the treatment scope at 150 Sohier Road in place of the planned permeable barrier along Tozer Road. These refinements, which are supported by the additional investigation data collected over the past year, provide an opportunity for enhancing the source area and bedrock treatments, and addressing issues related to securing access to work along Tozer Road. We have coordinated with MassDEP throughout this process. Please refer to factsheet summarizing our rationale.
Stream A Granular Activated Carbon Adsorptive Barrier
Status: The selected remedy – a granular activated carbon adsorptive barrier – was presented in the Phase IV Remedy Implementation Plan (Part 1) and at the June 2023 public meeting. The carbon mats were installed in October 2023.
Current and upcoming work: Routine inspections are performed to assess the condition of the mats.
PSL-10 Subgrade Biogeochemical Reactor
Status: The selected remedy – a subgrade biogeochemical reactor (SBGR)– was presented in the Phase IV Remedy Implementation Plan (Part 3) and at the November 2023 public meeting. Upon design completion, SBGR installation activities began in November 2024.
Current and upcoming work: Installation of the system was completed in April 2025, and the system is now operational. Complete details of system installation will be provided in the next status report (August 2025). The first round of post treatment sampling is planned for late May 2025, with results to be provided in the August 2025 status report.
Building 5 Bioremediation
Status: The selected remedy – bioremediation – was presented in the Phase IV Remedy Implementation Plan (Part 2) and at the November 2023 public meeting.
Current and upcoming work: Varian is planning to conduct investigation and treatment simultaneously. Pressure injection will be used beneath the building to increase the influence of the treatment. The design of the injection and monitoring well layout is ongoing. This treatment is expected to begin once downgradient bedrock groundwater treatment and monitoring are in place.
Bedrock In Situ Chemical Reduction
Status: The selected remedy – in situ chemical treatment – was presented in the Phase IV Remedy Implementation Plan (Part 2) and at the November 2023 public meeting. In addition, some minor changes in the remedial injection amendment (in situ chemical reduction or ISCR) were documented in the Revised Phase IV Status Report submitted to MassDEP in September 2024 and presented at the September 2024 public meeting. Pre-design activities took place from the summer of 2024 to January 2025 to further characterize the bedrock fracture network ahead of ISCR implementation.
Current and upcoming work: Data from the pre-design activities conducted through January 2025 have been used to finalize the design of bedrock treatment wells. Procurement of contractor to complete system installation has been completed and system installation will follow the public comment period for the modified Phase IV Plan.
Site-Wide Sampling
A semiannual status report that documents monitoring results from July through December 2024 and provides updates on treatment system installation was submitted on February 27, 2025. This report will be presented during the May 8, 2025, public meeting.
Routine site-wide sampling will take place this month (May 2025).
Site History and Overview
The former Varian Facility, located at 150 Sohier Road, is currently owned by another firm and operated as an active manufacturing facility for microwave and radar products.
The 150 Sohier Road property has been used as an industrial facility since the early 1950s. Industrial solvents were released to the environment due to the chemical handling and disposal practices that were common at the time, before more strict environmental regulations were enacted. These solvents, used primarily for surface treatment, cleaning, and degreasing operations, included trichloroethene (TCE), perchloroethene (PCE), and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). Releases of these solvents occurred in three main areas: the Building 3 area, the Building 5 area, and an open field known as PSL-10.
TCE, PCE, and TCA are heavier than water and have limited ability to dissolve in water. For that reason, they are often referred to as “dense nonaqueous phase liquids” (DNAPLs). They also tend to evaporate easily and are referred to as volatile organic compounds or VOCs.
Opportunities for Public Involvement
Meetings presentations, videos, posters, the most recent fact sheet, and information about how you can learn more can be found on our Public Involvement page.
The next public meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2025, at the Beverly Middle School library at 7:00 p.m.
Our Commitment
Varian is committed to conducting response actions according to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan, engaging stakeholders, and keeping the community informed of progress.