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 Blanche 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 Properties (19 total)
- 14 properties have been restored completely
- 1 property is currently in the final restoration stage
- Access agreements are pending for 3 properties
- 1 property is ready to excavate
Priority Two Properties (7 Total)
- 1 property is in the final restoration stage
- 1 property is awaiting restoration agreement signature
- 4 properties are in the backfill stage
- 1 property is ready to excavate
Priority 3 Properties (33 total)
- Completed pre-documentation at 8 properties
- Received 11 access agreement signatures
- Mailed/faxed 11 access agreements to the owners for signature.
- 1 property is in the backfill stage
- 1 property is ready for excavation
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
Obtaining access agreements for the remaining Priority One areas still remains to be an issue.
Rain and occasional downpours are hampering operations.
On September 2, 2003, a decision was made to remove one of the properties from the Priority One list until further investigation is conducted.
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