The Beryllium Corporation was established in 1933 and relocated in 1935 to 150 Tuckerton Road in Temple, Pennsylvania, where it took over the former site of the Pennsylvania Malleable Iron Company. This site became a key hub for beryllium copper production in the United States.
As The Beryllium Corp., the company quickly established itself as a leader in its field. By 1948, it was producing pure beryllium metal under contract with the Atomic Energy Commission and pioneering domestic engineering programs for mining and processing beryl ore.
The company’s industrial expansion saw several ownership changes: a 1968 merger with Kawecki Chemical Co. to form Kawecki Berylco Industries, Inc.; acquisition by Cabot Corp. in 1978; and eventual purchase by NGK Insulators Ltd. of Japan in 1986. NGK introduced $30 million in upgrades, including state-of-the-art furnaces and cleaning lines, to enhance production capacity and efficiency.
Beryllium copper, renowned for its flexibility, strength, and corrosion resistance, became integral to modern technology, from automobiles and aerospace to telecommunications and consumer electronics.
Below: Former Site of NGK Metals, 150 Tuckerton Road.
Environmental Challenges
Decades of industrial activity resulted in severe environmental damage. Before the 1970s, practices such as dumping chemical waste into on-site ponds and discharging untreated waste into Laurel Run, a tributary of the Schuylkill River, led to extensive pollution. Over time, Laurel Run became contaminated with beryllium, cadmium, lead, and other toxic metals, destroying aquatic life along a two-mile stretch.
The contamination extended to groundwater beneath the plant and surrounding areas, where pollutants—including beryllium, cadmium, chromium, and fluoride—were detected at levels thousands of times higher than federal safety limits for drinking water. In one case, beryllium levels were recorded at 3,250 times the EPA limit. Additional chemicals, such as aluminum, hexavalent chromium, copper, iron, manganese, sodium, zinc, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, were also found.
The pollution originated from ore-extraction processes beginning in 1935 under The Beryllium Corp. Chemical wastes were dumped into holding ponds until 1965, when these operations ceased, predating laws regulating chemical disposal. By 1969, industrial dumping on the property had stopped, but chlorides, fluorides, and other toxins had already leached into the soil and groundwater. Subsequent activities, including metal finishing, introduced nitrates, sulfates, and chromates into the water.
In 1989, whistleblower William G. Heffley exposed illegal discharges and falsified environmental reports at the site, leading to criminal charges against NGK. The company pled no contest in 1990, agreeing to a $300,000 settlement, partially allocated to environmental restoration projects such as those by the Schuylkill River Greenway Association.
Further investigations by the attorney general’s office revealed multiple violations. Between 1988 and 1989, NGK exceeded discharge limits for copper, beryllium, lead, pH, and suspended solids on at least 77 occasions. The company also illegally stored 14 rusted drums of cadmium cyanide waste on-site, which had leaked into the ground. At its concentration, the cadmium cyanide could have contaminated over 1.25 billion gallons of water—equivalent to nearly half the capacity of Lake Ontelaunee, Reading’s drinking water reservoir.
Additional incidents included failures in waste treatment infrastructure, such as a broken acid-cleaning line in September 1987 that leaked thousands of gallons of nitric and sulfuric acid containing copper and beryllium into the ground. A similar leak in April 1988 went unrepaired for four months, compounding the contamination.
Cleanup and Remediation Efforts
Under federal and state scrutiny, NGK undertook extensive remediation efforts to address its environmental legacy:
- Capping Contaminated Soil: An asphalt cap sealed off waste-filled ponds to prevent further leaching of pollutants into groundwater.
- Groundwater Treatment: A water filtration plant was constructed to extract and treat contaminated groundwater, discharging clean water into Laurel Run and other local waterways.
- Restoration of Laurel Run: Efforts were made to mitigate the damage to the tributary and prevent future pollution, though the stream’s ecosystem faced long-term impacts from years of contamination.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Periodic assessments of groundwater and ecological impacts ensured compliance with environmental standards.
By 1997, NGK had spent over $7 million on cleanup efforts, addressing decades of pollution. In 2005, the EPA declared the cleanup complete but continued monitoring groundwater contamination.
Plant Closure and Economic Transition
Despite efforts to modernize, NGK Metals closed its Muhlenberg Township plant in March 2000, citing a need to consolidate operations and reduce costs. Manufacturing operations were moved to Sweetwater, Tennessee, leaving only administrative functions and environmental management activities at the site.
The closure marked the end of a 65-year industrial presence in the region, which had played a significant role in both the local economy and global technological advancements. Approximately 45 administrative jobs remained in Muhlenberg Township to oversee environmental compliance and coordinate with corporate operations.
In 2016, demolition began on the long-shuttered factory, marking a new phase for the 66-acre property.
Efforts to repurpose the cleaned-up property have been ongoing. Community leaders envision industrial, commercial, or mixed-use developments that align with modern environmental standards.
Health and Legal Repercussions
The legacy of beryllium exposure has persisted in the form of health claims. Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD), a condition linked to long-term exposure, has affected workers and residents. By 2006, NGK faced over 30 lawsuits alleging beryllium-related illnesses.
Additionally, Laurel Run’s pollution raised public health concerns, with nearby residents reporting elevated cancer rates and advocating for epidemiological studies to assess long-term impacts.
Conclusion
The history of NGK Metals reflects the dual narratives of industrial progress and environmental accountability. From its founding in 1933 and relocation to Temple in 1935 to pioneering beryllium copper alloy production and addressing the profound consequences of legacy pollution, including the devastation of Laurel Run and groundwater contamination, the Muhlenberg Township facility serves as both a cautionary tale and a model for corporate responsibility.
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