The MDI Site located in Harris County, Texas is an abandoned foundry facility located approximately 2 miles east of downtown Houston and east of the intersection of Highway 59 and Interstate Highway 10. This portion of Houston is also known as the Fifth Ward. The MDI fenced property is bounded by Hare Street to the north, National Vinegar Company and Press Street to the east, the former Texas & New Orleans Railroad right-of-way beyond the easement to the south, and Bringhurst Street to the west. There are in excess of 10,000 people within a mile of the Site, including several hundred children attending the local elementary school. There are approximately 33 High Access Areas (HAAs)at the Site with lead contamination greater than the established 500 ppm action level. These HAAs include the Blance Kelso Bruce Elementary School, the Fifth Ward Multipurpose Community Center, a church, and approximately 30 residential properties. The school is located one block west of the MDI Site.
The EPA is currently performing an RI/FS at the Site. The purpose of the RI/FS is to determine the nature and extent of contamination and to gather sufficient information about the Site to support an informed risk management decision regarding which remedy is the most appropriate for the Site.
- Excavation, backfill, and restoration continues.
- Six residences have signed a final release and two more are ready to be signed
- Ten residences have been restored completely
- Four residences are ready to be restored and a fifth property's restoration will be completed this week
- Air monitoring continues every day during excavation. Air sampling is being done about once a week.
- To date, all air sampling results have come back at either non-detect for lead or below the established action level of 1.45 mg/m3
- Pursuing access agreements from two first priority residents
The plan is to clean up twenty Priority 1 areas. Depending on the availability of funds a few more areas on Priority 2 will be cleaned up. The removal action is expected to go on until first part of October.
The planned action for the Site involves removal of soils contaminated with lead from the other HAAs at the Site. Soil with lead contamination greater than 500 ppm will be excavated. The areas will be backfilled to proper grade and sodded. Sidewalks, driveways, and other such structures will be replaced with comparable structures according to local codes. The contaminated soil will be placed at the MDI Site.
- Awaiting mayor's signature for multi-purpose center that is part of the first priority list
- Ownership issue being researched at a first priority residence, initial research indicates the owner is deceased, currently heirs are being located
- Awaiting public meeting for housing project
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