Updated 1-6-2024
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 Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the Beverly Middle School library at 7:00 p.m.
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. Well field design was completed in the fall of 2023. Drilling of thermal wells outside Building 3 began in December 2023.
Current and upcoming work: Exterior drilling resumed on November 2 and has continued through December. The area where interior drilling will take place has undergone modifications in preparation for the drilling activities (e.g., sealing, ventilation and air flow modification, air monitoring program). Interior drilling is expected to proceed in January once the exterior drilling has been completed.
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. A pre-design investigation has been completed along Tozer Road. Data is being evaluated as it is received to refine the treatment barrier design and location.
Current and upcoming work: Pre-design investigation activities were completed in October. The sampling results have been used to support the barrier design, which was finalized in December. The schedule for barrier installation is in preparation.
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.
Current and upcoming work: The Varian team has been working with the City of Salem to finalize the proposed treatment design and confirm it will not affect their existing water main near the work area. Field activities in November and December have included (1) limited excavation near the water main to confirm its location and assess its condition, (2) decommissioning monitoring wells within the footprint of the proposed SBGR excavation, and (3) installing groundwater extraction and monitoring wells that will be part of the SBGR system. Excavation and SBGR installation activities are scheduled to begin in January.
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. This treatment is expected to begin once the permeable barrier on Tozer Road is 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.
Current and upcoming work: Pre-design activities took place over the summer, including bedrock borings, well installation, geophysical testing, and groundwater sampling. Additional geophysical testing was conducted in December (electrical resistivity testing) and will continue in January (seismic refraction testing) to confirm connections in bedrock fractures. The activities will be followed by the installation of bedrock wells that will become a part of the ISCR injection system.
Site-Wide Sampling
Site-wide groundwater testing and indoor air sampling at selected properties was conducted in November 2024. The results will be documented in the February 2025 Phase IV Status Report, which is currently in preparation. This report will be presented during a PIP meeting to be scheduled in the late winter or early Spring 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.
A public meeting was held on September 18, 2024. The presentation and meeting video are available on the public involvement page. The next Technical Assistance Group (TAG) meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m. at the Beverly Middle School Library.
Our Commitment
Varian is committed to conducting response actions according to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan, engaging stakeholders, and keeping the community informed of progress.