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 60 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 residential areas. 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.
Priority One Areas (20 total)
- 10 areas have been restored completely
- 3 additional residential areas have been restored and are being inspected by an OSC
- 2 additional residential areas properties are currently being restored
- 5 areas are still in the access agreement stages
Priority Two Areas (7 Total)
- 1 residential area is being excavated
- 2 additional areas are ready for excavation
- 4 additional areas are in the access agreement stages.
Air Monitoring
- 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
The plan is to clean up the Priority One and Priority Two sites by mid 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.
Obtaining access agreements for the remaining Priority One areas still remains to be an issue.
Rain and occasional downpours are hampering operations.
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