United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The Free Radiator Site is located at 12316 Greenville Highway, Lyman, Spartanburg County, South Carolina.  The Site is approximately ½ acre in size and has operated as a radiator refurbishing shop since 1947.  The same family has operated the business since inception.  The current operator is Howard Free; however, the land is owned by his brother, James Free.  The operator of the shop stated that waste radiator fluid was flushed and drained into a 15ft2 sump located behind the shop.  SCDHEC became aware of the Site through a citizen’s complaint and collected soil samples at the Site on May 9, 2002. The total lead detected in these samples was reported as high as 160,000 ppm.  SCDHEC subsequently referred the Site to the Emergency Response and Removal Branch (ERRB) for more action.

On July 1, 2003, EPA and EPA’s Science and Ecosystems Support Division (SESD) personnel conducted a site assessment and field investigation of the Site.  Based on the screening levels, soil samples were taken at the soil surface as well as eighteen inches below the surface depending on initial readings.  Readings indicated that lead contamination in the soil behind and on both sides of the shop is present at levels well above the Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goal (PRG) (750 to 1250 mg/kg lead in soil).  Lead contamination in excess of the Region 9 PRG also appears to have migrated into the soil of the property adjacent to the radiator shop.  After the assessment, samples were submitted to be analyzed for lead and Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) lead only via a Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) laboratory.  Sample results revealed the presence of lead ranging from 750 to 65,000 ppm, levels exceeding the removal action for lead in industrial areas.

ERRS mobilized to the site on April 14, 2004 to begin cleanup activities.  During the removal, ERRS treated and stockpiled soils while a CERCLA-approved disposal facility was being found. During the removal, several trees had to be removed in order to remove conamination from the property.  

A follow up walkthrough of the Site was conducted by OSC Byrd on 08/11/04.  OSC Spoke with PRP and both concluded that there were no other on-site activities that needed to be addressed.  A final report was issued to OSC Byrd in October 2004.

no other planned removal actions for this Site

The goal of the removal action was to remove, treat and dispose of lead contaminated soil at the Site.  After soils were removed and areas confirmed to be below action levels by laboratory analytical results, native backfill material was delivered to the site and excavated areas restored to original grade.  Once backfill of the excavation area was complete, the excavation area was seeded with grass and mulch material spread over the seeded areas to prevent the backfill from washing away and provide the grass seed cover from feeding birds.

Non Hazardous - Non Regulated Soils   209.72 Tons