ANNOUNCEMENTS AND KEY TOPICS
After performing a residential ambient air site evaluation in the vicinity of the AAA Freight Inc. facility located at 11835 S. Central Park Ave. in Merrionette Park, Illinois, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not find levels of contamination that would require a cleanup action by the Agency under the Superfund (CERCLA) law.
BACKGROUND
EPA began a residential ambient air removal site evaluation in response to community complaints and concerns that AAA Freight Inc. operations were causing diesel fumes and fugitive dust emissions to migrate into the community and causing health problems. The site evaluation was performed in accordance with Section 300.410 of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP).
EPA gathered this information to determine whether contamination might be present at levels high enough to warrant action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as the Superfund law.
SAMPLING AND MONITORING
EPA’s ambient air monitoring and sampling in the residential area surrounding the AAA Freight Inc. facility involved the installation of six high-volume air samplers to analyze metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, also known as PAHs; weekly air monitoring for dust, or particulate matter; and weekly recording of meteorological data.
EPA and technical contractors placed air monitoring at the Garden Homes water tank tower and two residential locations to the north and west (southern portion) of the AAA Freight Inc. facility. Each location had two high volume samplers (one for metals and the other for PAHs) and one particulate monitor.
WHAT IS THE SITE STATUS?
From July to September 2019, EPA conducted ambient air monitoring and sampling in the residential area surrounding the AAA Freight Inc. facility located at 11835 S. Central Park Ave., Merrionette Park, Cook County, Illinois.
Lab results for metal and PAH concentrations were compared to established EPA health risk standards known as Removal Management Levels (RMLs). These standards are based on exposure levels to contamination. Action by the EPA Removal Program under CERCLA requires exceedance of the RMLs. Additional information on RMLs can be found at www.epa.gov/risk/regional-removal-management-levels-rmls-frequently-asked-questions#FAQ1.
Particulate matter results were compared to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Information regarding NAAQS is available at www.epa.gov/criteria-air-pollutants/naaqs-table.
All PAH concentrations were below their chemical-specific RMLs for the duration of the sampling events. All Particulate matter concentrations were below their respective NAAQS. All metals concentrations were also below RMLs. There were some arsenic and manganese concentrations that were slightly elevated, but, neither arsenic nor manganese exceeded the RMLs during the investigation.
In general, EPA’s removal site evaluation did not find levels of contamination that would require a cleanup action by the Agency under the CERCLA law. However, EPA did identify the presence of arsenic, manganese, PAHs, and PM that are commonly present in urban air and may be associated with diesel emissions. That contamination may be subject to regulation under other laws.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS
For questions related to the sampling or site assessment you can contact the On-Scene Coordinator, Ramon Mendoza at 312-802-1409, or at mendoza.ramon@epa.gov. For community related questions you can contact the Community Involvement Coordinator, Adrian Palomeque at 312-353-2035, or palomeque.adrian@epa.gov.
For health-related questions concerning this site assessment, please contact Dr. Keith Fusinski of the EPA at 743-214-4903 or Dr. Motria Caudill of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) at 312-886-0267.
