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1.2.2.3 Among the supplies handled at the Depot are cleaning and <br /> degreasing compounds containing the chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents <br /> trichloroethene (trichloroethylene, TCE) and tetrachloroethene <br /> (tetrachloroethylene, perchloroethylene, PCE) . Both of these compounds <br /> have been found persistently as contaminants in the soil qas, soil , and <br /> groundwater, generally in areas at one time or another used for mechanical <br /> maintenance or drum storage. <br /> r <br /> s' <br /> 1.2.2.3.1 The solvents were brought to the Depot for two purposes. <br /> First, the bulk of the solvents was brought to the Depot in.transit for <br /> distribution to defense facilities elsewhere. They arrived in drums by <br /> truck or rail , were stored in a convenient area, and ultimately were <br /> shipped out by truck or rail . The second purpose, which involved a smaller <br /> total quantity, was for use on the Depot for degreasing machinery and parts <br /> in the course of maintenance and repair of Depot equipment. Both past in- <br /> transit storage and past use on the- Depot probably generated contamination <br /> of the soil and groundwater in the following -ways: <br /> • Solvents in transit arrived at the Depot, were handled by <br /> equipment when moved to a storage area, and were handled by <br /> equipment aga.in when put aboard trucks or railcars when leaving <br /> the Depot. In-this handling process, accidents could happen. <br /> Drums could be dropped_and broken or could be pierced by a <br /> forklift. , Defective drums can leak in the summer sun, especially <br /> when lying on their sides, as shown in historical aerial <br /> photographs. Through these channels, solvents in transit could <br /> spill and become a contaminant on the Depot, although probably low <br /> in volume compared to the total volume in transit. <br /> • Solvents for use on the Depot represent a smaller volume than <br /> those in transit, but a higher fraction of these solvents probably <br /> ended up as contaminants. During World War II, and the Korean and <br /> Vietnamese conflicts, when activity at the Depot was at a peak, it <br /> is probable that solvents were frequently spilled on the ground in <br /> small quantities. Also, accidents could occur, such as the <br /> 1-8 <br />