Soil sampling conducted in conjunction with a major PCB contamination removal revealed residential soil lead concentrations above the EPA Region 4 residential action level of 400 parts per million (ppm).
As a result, EPA has sampled over 1,600 residential properties to access lead contamination. Soil samples with lead levels over 400 ppm have been identified for removal under this action with priority being given based on a combination of soil lead levels and presence of sensitive receptors such as children and pregnant women.
* ERRS contractor CMC, Inc., was mobilized to the site to begin residential excavation on April 22, 2002. The scope of activities includes excavating up to two feet of soil from residential properties, backfilling, and restoring the property.
* START-2 contractor Tetra Tech EM, Inc., continues to provide community relations support and database management.
* START-2 contractor Weston Solutions, Inc., was brought on site April 29, 2002 to provide site documentation, contractor oversight, site administration, sampling, and field screening with a portable x-ray fluoroscope (XRF).
* The weather has been sunny, warm, and humid, with temperatures ranging from lows in the 60s to highs in the 90s. There has not been any time lost on site due to weather.
* Resources on site:
Personnel:
EPA (1)
Weston Solutions START-2 (1)
Tetra Tech EM, Inc., START-2 (1)
CMC, Inc., ERRS (9) -
1 - Project Manager 1 - Field Clerk
1 - Truck driver 1 - Foreman 3 - Operators 2 - Laborers
Equipment:
1 - Mini excavator 1 - Tracked uniloader 1 - Front-end loader
1 - Dump truck 1 - Water truck 5 - Pick up trucks
1 - Office trailer 1 - Decon trailer 1 - Equipment trailer
1 - Compactor roller
* Residential soil removal activities continued. Currently, yards are being excavated to a maximum depth of 2 feet. Only those residential properties that fall into Tier 1 or Tier 2 categories for lead removal are being addressed at this time. This includes all residential properties greater than or equal to 1,200 ppm and those that are greater than or equal to 400 ppm lead but less than 1,200 ppm lead with sensitive populations such as children 6 years old or younger or pregnant women. A total of 97 residential properties and 1 park have been excavated, backfilled with clean soil, and sodded. To date, approximately 12,959 cubic yards of lead contaminated soil have been removed and stockpiled for transportation and disposal. A total of 10,163 tons of lead contaminated soil have been transported to Superior Cedar Hill Landfill in Ragland, Alabama.
* Residential properties that fall into the high priority category as identified by the Office of Technical Support will contine to be addressed.
* Transportation and disposal will continue after a sufficient amount of soil has been excavated, stockpiled, and sampled.
* Activities will continue to secure removal access authorization from residents in the high priority categories and from residents previously engaged on the class action law suit.
* Dust sampling will be conducted on properties greater than or equal to 1,200 ppm for lead to determine if dust removal action is necessary in the homes.
* The enforcement process will continue to incorporate any PRPs into the lead removal action.
* A sampling event occured during the week of June 1, 2004 to continue assessing the soil contamination in Anniston, Hobson City, and Oxford. Approximately 220 properties were sampled.
The current Lead Status Report from all sampling events is as follows:
No Further Action - Properties with lead data < 400 ppm = 1,160
Properties with lead data ≥ 400 ppm = 291
Breakdown of all 291 properties into tier groups:
Tier 1 = Pb ≥1,200 with child less than 7 years old or active pregnancy
Complete Remaining Total
12 1 13
Tier 2 = 400 ≤ Pb < 1,200 with child less than 7 years old or active pregnancy or >1,200 with no children or pregnancy
Complete Remaining Total
73 25 98
Tier 3 = 400≥Pb< 1,200 with no child or pregnancy
Complete Remaining Total
10 160 170
Un-known = Incomplete information regarding sensitive population.
Complete Remaining Total
3 7 10
TOTAL
Complete Remaining Total
98 193 291
Notes:
* Eight Tier 3 houses were completed by Habitat for Humanity with EPA oversight and cooperation.
* Ten houses remain undetermined due to incomplete information regarding sensitive population.
* Tiers may change periodically due to a change in the occupancy of a residence.
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