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Lancashire Street Disposal Area

 
Site Contact:
Mia Pasquerella
OSC

(pasquerella.mia@epa.gov)

Site Location:
Lancashire Street
Providence, RI 02886
response.epa.gov/LancashireStreet

According to historical aerial photos obtained, prior to 1955 the area was a topographic depression that was used as a dumping area. The majority of the filling activity occurred between 1955 and 1965. Sampling done by the RIDEM indicates that the fill material includes automobile fluff . Pieces of the auto fluff are currently visible on the surface of the Site. The site is no longer restricted by a perimeter fence and the existing vegetation is in poor condition. It is evident that the previous cap is no longer in good condition. Ripped edges and breaks in the plastic are visible at the surface. It appears that this area is used as a play area for the local children and a place for the residents to walk their dogs.

At the request of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), EPA initiated a Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation (PA/SI) consisting of a detailed file review, an “open fields” assessment to check site conditions, and a sampling event on May 17-19, 2004. The sampling event included setting up a sampling grid, taking approximately 200 samples, and having them analyzed by the New England Regional Mobile Laboratory for lead and PCBs. The results yielded levels of lead and PCBs above the RIDEM accepted standard for residential areas of 150 ppm and 10 ppm, respectively. The sampling locations with PCB contamination are on the perimeter of the vacant lots, indicating that there may be a need for further investigation on the neighboring residential areas. The analytical data was then used to conduct a health assessment by Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The site investigation was closed on September 16, 2004 with the recommendation that a time critical removal action be conducted.


For additional information, visit the Pollution Report (POLREPS) section.