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The Forshaw Chemical site is approximately 5.25 acres in size and includes two former pentachlorophenol (PCP) formulating buildings, an office building, and a warehouse. The site is located in a mixed industrial/residential area. A municipal park and elementary school are located on the opposite bank of Stewart Creek, just downstream of the site.
Forshaw Chemical began formulating PCP in 1971 up until December 2003, when Forshaw Chemical ceased all PCP production operations. Currently, the property serves as a distribution center only. The original PCP manufacturing building is currently used for storage of Buckshot, a herbicide. This building is rundown and accessible to the public.
During the March 2005 SI for Clorox Chemical, two surface soil samples were collected along the west side of the original PCP formulating building, adjacent to the loading dock area. Analytical results for indicated the presence of PCP at a concentration of 250,000 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg).
In addition to the soil samples, a duplicate set of surface water and sediment samples were collected at the probable point of entry (PPE). PCP was detected in the surface water at an average concentration of 160 micrograms per liter (µg/L) and in the sediment at a concentration as high as 900 µg/kg.
On October 4, 2005, the North Carolina Superfund Section personnel conducted an on-site/off-site reconnaissance for the Clorox Chemical site. According to an employee of Forshaw Chemical, the City of Charlotte’s stormwater system captures runoff upgradient of the Forshaw Chemical property. Forshaw Chemical’s stormwater system ties into the City of Charlotte’s system on the site, immediately downgradient of the former PCP manufacturing buildings. All stormwater that runs through the Forshaw Chemical property is piped directly into Stewart Creek, Stewart Creek, as well as the entire 15-mile surface water pathway for the site, is considered a fishery.
Based on the potential surface water pathway receptors, the North Carolina Superfund Section proceeded with an ESI for the Clorox Chemical site. On December 5–6, 2005 and January 25, 2006, the North Carolina Superfund Section personnel conducted an ESI sampling event at Clorox Chemical. A total of five soil samples from the overland flow pathway from Forshaw Chemical and immediately upgradient of their stormwater system were collected during the December 2005 ESI sampling event. In addition, a total of six surface water and six sediment samples from the January 2006 ESI sampling event pertain to Forshaw Chemical and its impact upon Stewart Creek.
Since there has been an observed release of PCP to the on-site soils and Stewart Creek, and the potential for soil exposure to the neighboring community, the North Carolina Superfund Section recommended that Forshaw Chemical be added to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS). The site was added to CERCLIS on April 3, 2006. A Preliminary Assessment (PA) was completed for the site and approved by EPA on April 3, 2006.
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