United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region V
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The former American Lead facility is located at 2102 Hillside Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana. American Lead operated a lead smelter at this location from 1946 to 1965. In 1965, National Lead Industries, Inc. (NL Industries) acquired the property and operated a lead reclamation facility. A fire reportedly damaged the smelter building in 1970 and NL Industries removed several buildings and slag piles in 1971. After several different owners, Irving Materials, Inc., (IMI) acquired the facility in 1990. The southeastern part of the facility was formerly leased to DuraCrete and is currently leased to Adjustable Forms, Inc., a manufacturer of building products (ESE 1999).

The facility is located in a mixed residential and industrial area. During the period of lead smelting operations, lead fumes and dust would have been released from the facility as point and fugitive sources and may have contributed to lead contamination at the facility and the surrounding areas. Investigations performed by the facility contractor and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) found lead contamination in residential and non-residential soils surrounding the facility. On March 13, 2003, IDEM requested assistance from U.S. EPA Region 5 Emergency Response Branch for a removal assessment because of failed negotiations with the PRP to reach a compromise on the remedial aspect of the project. U.S. EPA’s negotiations with the PRP resulted in an administrative order that required the  PRP to characterize lead contamination in the surrounding areas of the facility (off-site) and remediate lead contaminated soil.

•AGC is continuing to gain access to residential properties to conduct sampling activities.
•AGC collected samples from 5 residential, 0 church and 2 vacant lot property pre-excavation soil samples during this reporting period.  AGC screened 7 residential, 5 vacant lot property and 0 church proper pre-excavation soil samples during this reporting period.
-Residential properties were sampled by collecting 5-point composite soil samples.  One composite was collected from 0-3" and one from 6-12" depth.  Each residential property was sampled from the front yard and the backyard.  Additional samples were collected from gardens and play area, if applicable. Vacant lots and church properties were divided into four quadrants and a 5-point composite soil sample was collected from each of quadrant and from 0-3" and 6-12" depth.
•AGC currently has signed access agreements for 204 properties and sampled a total of 180 properties.  Of those 180, six had XRF lead readings below the cleanup action level of 400 ppm.  174 properties would have to be partially or completed remediated.
•ENTACT has excavated 36 vacant properties, 3 churches, and 31 residential properties to date, 4 residential, 0 church and 3 vacant lot during the reporting period.
•ENTACT has disposed of 11,800 tons of non-hazardous lead-contaminated soil to date, 1580 tons during the reporting period.
•ENTACT has collected post-excavation confirmation samples from 5 vacant lots, 0 churches and 3 residential properties during the reporting period.
•ENTACT backfilled 35 vacant lots, 3 churches, and 27 residential properties to date, 4 vacant lots, 0 churches, and 3 residential properties during the reporting period.
•ENTACT has placed sod/seed on 31 vacant/side lots, 3 church and 23 residential properties to date.
•ENTACT conducted daily air monitoring near residential entrance (if applicable) and up and down wind of every excavation area.  To date there have been no exceedances of the  ENTACT action level of 2.5 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3).

1) PRP to continue gaining access agreements to properties.
2) PRP to continue to sample properties where access agreements have been signed.
3) Continue excavation of those properties that have had XRF screenings above 400 ppm.
4) Continue backfilling excavated properties after confirmation sampling has been completed.
5) Treatment, if needed, and disposal of lead-contaminated soil to the Clinton County Landfill.

1) Continue gaining access and sampling residential properties.
2) Continue excavation, and backfilling of residential properties that have results above 400 ppm.
3) Continue placing sod or grass seed on backfilled properties.

None.

To date approximately 11,800 tons of non-hazardous lead-contaminated soil has been disposed of to the Clinton County Landfill.