In April 2011 the Tennesee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) refered the Read Avenue Lead Site to EPA for evaluation based on an incident at 1703 Read Avenue in the Fall 2010 where the occupant of 1703 Read Avenue exhibited symptoms of accute lead exposure that required hospitalization. The exposure was never completely confirmed (nor ruled out) by the Hamilton County Health Department. At the time of the referal to EPA in 2011.
A Region 4 OSC was assigned to the Site to evaluate if the lead contamination was part of the building materials or soil contamination.
The Site as defined for this investigation, is comprised of three residential properties (1701 Read Avenue, 1705 Read Avenue, and 1707 Read Avenue) and an adjoining neighborhood park (Fort Negley Park), located at the intersection of East 17th Street and Mitchell Avenue. Previous sampling at at 1705 Read Avenue indicated high lead concentrations were present in surface soil at various locations in the yard surrounding the residence structure. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine if the contamination observed at 1705 Read Avenue was present in the adjacent properties.
