The Blackburn and Union Privileges Superfund Site is located in an industrial/residential area where the Neponset River crosses South Street in Walpole, MA.
The entire Site includes multiple parcels of land. This removal action will focus on the vacant-two story former mill building which exists on Lot #33-174 and the vacant lot located across the street at Lot#33-130.
Vacant Two Story Former Mill Building on Lot 33-174-Various industries have operated at the Site building since the early 1800’s. In approximately 1915, the Multiple Triple Woven Hose and Rubber Company, later known as Multibestos Company, began manufacturing brake linings, containing asbestos. In the mid-1930’s, Multibestos closed the facility due to a class action suit brought by employees suffering from respiratory ailments. Since then, the Site had been operated by the Walpole Factories, Industrial Properties, and the Kendall Corporation. In 1985, B.I.M Investment Corporation acquired this parcel, which is believed to have remained inactive since then.
The building’s foot print is approximately 32,000 square feet (ft2). The building is a two story wood/concrete/metal structure, and has a partial basement. The greater portion of the floors is made of wood. The others are concrete. There are openings on the 1st and 2nd floors which expose the floor areas directly underneath. These openings are a result of the former machinery being removed by the previous owners. The floor openings on the second floor have gotten larger through the years because the roof directly over this area is in disrepair. This allowed many years of precipitation to enter the building, damaging the floors, and rendering them structurally unsafe. Most of the windows are boarded up with wood. However, there are still some in their original glass-pane form which are missing or have broken glass panes due to vandalism activities. These openings (roof areas and windows) allow wind and precipitation to enter the building, causing friable asbestos to become airborne and migrate to the surrounding community.
Currently there is a fence around the building and some of the many entrances to the building are locked. However, there is evidence of trespass in that there is a hole in the fence and graffiti on the building. In addition, trespassers may gain access to the building through those entrances to the building that remain unlocked.
Vacant Lot # 33-130- This lot is approximately ¼ of an acre, it is unfenced, and currently used by the abutting property owner as a tree nursery. During the November 12-13, 2008, PA/SI, automotive brake pads that were visible on the soil surface were collected and analyzed for asbestos content. The analysis revealed chrysotile asbestos up to 25%.
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