The Currie Avenue Site was used as a former salvage operation. A fire occurred at the Site sometime around 1999. Burning was also performed at the Site in the past.
The salvage yard operator is now deceased and the property was bequeathed to his family; however, the property is no longer used as a salvage operation.
In 2004, the current owner contracted a local company to perform a Phase II assessment. Limited sampling was performed. However, one surface soil sample contained lead in levels which designate this material as hazardous waste.
The City of Chesapeake Virginia requested EPA perform a sampling assessment of the property to determine if a removal action is needed. The OSC coordinated with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. VDEQ concurred that an EPA Removal Assessment was appropriate.
Prior to the sampling assessment, OSC Wagner met on Site with representatives from the City of Chesapeake Fire Marshal's Office and the current Site owner. The Site owner granted EPA permission to perform a sampling assessment.
OSC Wagner and EPA START contractor (TetraTechEM) mobilized to the Site and commenced sampling activities on August 5. The Site was mapped into 15 grids. The Site perimeter was mapped using a portable GPS (Trimble) unit. Since the Site boundaries are not clearly marked, EPA made every effort to ensure all samples were taken within the Site property boundaries. These boundaries were confirmed by the owner.
A 5-point composite sample was collected from each grid. Additionally, eight additional locations were selected which had visible signs of potential contamination. Grab samples were collected from each of these locations. One offsite sample was also collected as a background reference.
All of the samples described above were surface soil samples. These samples will be analyzed for metals and semi-volatile organic compounds.
Tanks and drums on Site were also assessed. Most of these containers were empty or contained very little residual material (not enough for a sample). The containers were marked "MT" (empty). All of the tanks on Site had openings which would allow rainwater to enter the container. One drum contained waste anti-freeze and one tank near the power lines contained a combination of mud/grease/water. No container samples were sent for analysis.
During the assessment many compressed gas cylinders were identified. Fifty-four large cylinders were marked and documented. However, the Site is covered in wide and deep areas of mulch and straw. The OSC suspects additional cylinders may be buried in some areas.
During the assessment the OSC coordinated with the property owners and representatives from the City of Chesapeake Fire Marshal's office who visited the Site several times during the assessment.
The OSC provided the owner a receipt for samples on 8/7/08. The samples are being shipped to an EPA-approved laboratory for analysis.
The OSC will review the results of the assessment to determine if a removal action is warranted. Also, the OSC expressed concern to the Deputy Fire Marshal that the Site contains many compressed gas cylinders, including flammable gasses, such as acetylene.
EPA and START will return to the Site on August 19th to perform subsurface soil and groundwater sampling. Subsurface samples will be collected near the corners of the property and at three additional locations which will be determined at that time.
Additionally, groundwater samples will be collected to determine if there exists any potential for offsite migration.
The OSC is also pursuing the availability of a cylinder expert to provide additional assistance regarding many of the cylinders on Site.
The OSC is concerned about a fire hazard at the Site due to the numerous compressed gas cylinders combined with the large quantities of organic material such as mulch and straw. Some of the cylinders likely contain acetylene, based on the valves. The majority of the cylinders are unmarked and are in extremely poor condition. The pressure relief valves are missing or are completely rusted on many of these cylinders.
VDEM visited the Site to assist the OSC with cylinder identification.
A representative from the Chesapeake Health Department also visited the Site to identify potential drinking water wells in the area. There are no known drinking water wells; however, if any wells were installed prior to 1990, their existence may not be known to the Health Department. The OSC will await the groundwater results before deciding whether a residential well survey is needed.
Due to the potential for removal of soils designated as hazardous waste, the Chesapeake Fire Marshal's Office has restricted the materials the property owner is permitted to remove from the Site.
This sampling event is being performed so that the OSC can make a determination if hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants may be released from the Site and may pose an imminent and substantial threat to public health, welfare, or the environment. However, the sampling strategy is also consistent with an EPA PA/SI and a Phase II assessment.
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