1.1.1 Incident Category
CERCLA

Time-Critical Removal

1.1.2 Site Description

The Old Davis Hospital Site (Site), also known as the Old Statesville Hospital, is a closed and abandoned hospital complex that operated from the 1920s into 1980s. Deed information indicates that the property consists of approximately 7.5 acres. According to information obtained from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the hospital structure itself is about 250,000 square feet in size. On-site observations and video and still images available on the internet, indicate that the still-standing portion of the hospital is in an advanced state of disrepair. Analytical data confirms that the Site contains significant amounts of Asbestos Containing Material (ACM).

1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located at 706 and 709 West End Avenue, Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Asbestos is a hazardous substance as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) 101 (14). The North Carolina Health Hazards Control Unit (HHCU) has documented the presence of friable asbestos in debris piles generated by demolition activities at the Site. The friable asbestos was observed in two primary areas of concern, both are located outside of the main building in two large demolition debris piles; one is located east of the main building and the other is located to the rear of the main building. The two piles are each estimated at approximately 100 feet by 150 feet by 10 feet in height.

The Site is located immediately proximate to the Mitchell Community College, a multi-family residential complex and single family dwellings. The Site is also a locally prominent paranormal destination as evidenced by numerous YouTube videos and websites and will continue to be an attraction because the major portion of the hospital building is still intact. The debris piles containing friable asbestos poses a potential threat to the surrounding community and anyone entering the Site.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The North Carolina Health Hazards Control Unit (HHCU), which is the State agency that implements the asbestos program in North Carolina, issued permits for demolition of the hospital and associated buildings in January and September of 2015. The EPA Region 4 Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC) received a National Response Center (NRC) notification of potential improper demolition activities and alleged release of asbestos at the Site on October 7, 2015. In follow up, the EPA notified HHCU and provided them with the information in the NRC Incident Report (#1130286). The HHCU and and an Iredell County Building Inspector performed a site visit and walk through of the interior of the hospital building on October 12, 2015. The following day, NCHHCU returned to the Site to collect samples of suspect asbestos-containing materials and to further document the Site conditions. It was during this October 13, 2015 site visit that suspect asbestos-containing materials were observed by state personnel within piles of demolition debris located outside the main hospital building. HHCU collected samples from the Site of suspected ACM on October 15 and 27, 2015.

Of the 53 samples collected from intact portion of the hospital building and the debris piles, 21 were confirmed to contain asbestos. Asbestos concentrations ranged up to 75% Chrysotile and 20% Amosite.

An EPA Region 4 On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) and inspectors with the Region 4 Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division (APTMD) visited the Site on June 2, 2016. Representatives from HHCU as well as the property owner were also present. During this site visit, the OSC and the APTMD inspectors observed uncontrolled piles of debris and ACM. EPA personnel also noted that the Site was inadequately secured and is located immediately adjacent to a community college and residential structures. These findings were reported to regional management.

2.1.1 Narrative

Following the inspections noted in the previous section, HHCU sent a letter to the property owner and the demolition contractor on November 4, 2015, explaining the regulatory requirements associated with demolition of potentially asbestos-containing structures. An HHCU Notice of Violation (NOV) was sent to the property owner and demolition contractor on March 2, 2016. The NOV directed that a thorough inspection and inventory of suspect asbestos-containing materials be performed by an accredited asbestos inspector and that an asbestos abatement design be developed and submitted for review prior to beginning cleanup or demolition activities. The NOV further specified that the cleanup should be performed by North Carolina accredited personnel in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations and completed as quickly as possible.

On June 6, 2016, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in coordination with the HHCU requested via email that the EPA Region 4 Emergency Response, Removal and Prevention Branch (ERRPB) conduct a Removal Site Evaluation at the Site and take action as necessary and appropriate to facilitate mitigation of potential threats associated with asbestos-containing demolition debris located on the property. Also on June 6, 2016, the HHCU sent a letter to ERRPB expressing their concern with the Site. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Wetting Operations are continuing on a as needed basis based on visual observations and weather forecasts.

A security contractor has been acquired, security is present at the Site from 7 pm to  7 am daily and 24 hours a day on weekends. This is subject to change based on EPA and EPA contractor site presence and completion of security fencing.

A fencing contractor has been acquired, security fence installation began on June 20. Fence post holes have been drilled, poles put in and cemented in place. Chain-link fencing and barbed wire installation occur the week of June 27.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Negotiations with PRP continue.

Efforts to identify additional PRPs continue.

Property Owner has signed Access Agreement.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Wetting Operations continue as needed.

Security Fence Installation will continue.

Maintaining Site Security will continue as needed.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Remove debris piles containing asbestos containing material and properly transport and dispose of asbestos containing material (ACM) located outside of the Old Davis Hospital Buildings.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Continue public outreach and coordination with community, state and local officials.

2.2.2 Issues