The Graybill Metal Polishing, Inc., site (Graybill) is located in a commercial/residential area at 1245 East Florence Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Until recently, the facility conducted copper cyanide, nickel and chrome plating and buffing and polishing operations. The site is approximately 11,000 ft2 with an 8,000 ft2 building divided into a polishing and buffing area (east) and plating area (west). The back lot (north side of parcel) houses an additional chrome and nickel strip line, a storage shed and is generally congested with empty tanks, containers, used equipment, automobiles and other debris. The back lot is surrounded by a fence that is bordered on the north by residences, including homes and apartments, and on the east by a convenience store parking lot. The facility is attached to the west by a business operating a metal anodizing operation.
According to an Inspection Report documenting a joint California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA - Los Angeles County Fire Department) compliance inspection conducted on October 18, 2005, the facility has been the subject of numerous past inspections, Notices of Violation, and Enforcement Orders issued by DTSC, the CUPA and the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD). Numerous violations of State Hazardous Waste Control Law and LACSD discharge violations have been documented.
In April 2006, the State Attorney Generals Office delivered a Unilateral Cleanup Order to the business owner/operators and property owner. Continued facility non-compliance led to a DTSC request for EPA site evaluation assistance. A joint DTSC and EPA inspection was conducted on May 9, 2006. During this inspection, EPA OSCs C. Benson and J. Musante and START conducted a preliminary waste inventory, collected samples, reviewed past inspection results with DTSC personnel and documented site conditions.
Based on the observed site conditions, evidence of a continued release of hazardous materials, the unsecured nature of the facility, and statements by facility representatives, OSC Benson initiated an immediate stabilization and removal action through exercise of warrant authority on May 9, 2006. A transition from EPA stabilization to PRP full-scale site cleanup was initiated on May 15, 2006. Phase II cleanup operations involving shallow subsurface soil and building component characterization and removal has been completed. PRP contractor assets demobilized from the site on 8/31/06. Final PRP reporting was received by EPA on 10/26/06. Phase II operations were performed by the PRP contractors under the terms of a CERCLA 106 Order.
