On November 21, 2008, the Ohio EPA requested assistance from U.S. EPA Region V to conduct a removal site investigation at the Rose Exterminator Site at 5421 Carthage Avenue, Norwood, Ohio.
From approximately 1950-1974, the site building was used to produce and package rodenticide containing arsenic. The company ceased operations in 1974 and the site building has since remained unoccupied. Residential properties are located immediately to the east and west of the site. The site building is structurally impaired including a collapsed roof.
The EPA Site investigation was completed on December 30, 2008. Site sampling confirmed elevated levels of lead and arsenic in and around the site building.
On April 17, 2009, the Ohio Dept of Health (ODH) completed a Health Consultation for the Rose Exerterminator Site. The Health Consultation concluded: The unsecured Rose Exterminator Site is highly contaminated with arsenic. At present, the site poses a public health hazard.
The ODH Health Consultation recommended the following:
1. Additional soil samples should be collected on-site and from adjacent residences to fully define the extent of arsenic and lead contamination.
2. Access to the property should be restricted to prevent exposure to contaminated building and soils.
3. Future exposure to arsenic and lead contamination at the site can be eliminated by removing the arsenic-contaminated buildng and contaminated soils from the site.
The EPA Removal Action was initiated on April 29, 2009. The EPA Command Post is located at 5419 Carthage Avenue, Norwood, OH. The removal action will include air monitoring, site security, removal of arsenic contaminated building and soil.
See POLREP 1 for additional site details.
The removal action was completed on June 8, 2009. See POLREP #2 for details.
