The Buffum MKE Site is an abandoned three-story building with a long history of industrial uses, including a furniture (billiards) factory, yeast manufacturer, feed and fertilizer supplier, animal research laboratory, chemical processor, soap manufacturer, industrial wheel manufacturer, plastics manufacturer, fiberglass fabricator, reclaimer and processor of scrap and electronic metals, and wood working shop. The building has been vacant for many years and has fallen into disrepair. The property is surrounded by residences, commercial operations, and the Beerline Recreation Trail.
Numerous containers of hazardous waste and many piles of hazardous ash were abandoned in the building. A portion of the roof has failed resulting in storm water entering the building and mixing with the waste. Hazardous waste is in the floor drains. There is evidence of previous trespassing in the building.
The City of Milwaukee secured the building, posted warning notices, and requested EPA assistance. EPA conducted a removal site assessment in Decemeber 2013 and a supplemental assessment in April 2014. The reports of these assessments are available in the 'documents' section.
Contaminants inside the building included lead, polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs, chlorinated solvents (mainly trichloroethylene, known as TCE), waste oil, flammable and corrosive materials, and asbestos. The known public health risks were contained within the structure.
EPA began clean-up operations at the Site on June 11, 2014 and completed clearing of the building the week of August 8, 2014. EPA attempted to clean the floor drains, trenches, and sumps, but was limited by the deteriorating building conditions. Samples taken after attempting to clean the floor drains indicated hazardous waste (lead and PCBs) remained beneath the floor in the one-story addition. EPA placed carbon booms around the floor drains and at the exterior doors to minimize off-site release of contamination. The City of Milwaukee condemned the building and issued a Raze Order to the property owner in August, 2014. The owner did not respond to the Order, so the City of Milwaukee pursued and obtained funding for demolition. EPA monitored building conditions and stormwater releases throughout the winter. Building demolition began on March 25, 2015 and was completed on April 14, 2015. EPA remobilized to address the remaining sewer release and sub-slab contamination on April 15, 2015. The removal action was completed on May 14, 2015.
