The Tennessee Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) requested Region 4 Emergency Response and Removal Branch's assistance in assessing several properties south of Main Street for lead contamination from an unknown source. During the summer of 2011, one resident became ill and was found to have elevated blood lead levels. An initial sampling event by ERRB and SESD Athens found two sample locations along Read Avenue with soil lead levels exceeding 400 ppm. The neighborhood park at the corner of 1700 Mitchell Avenue showed no elevated lead readings.
During April 2012, ERRB and SESD Athens coordinated a large sampling assessment with TDEC of 81 homes (162 front and back yards) in the neighborhood of Read, Mitchell and Carr Avenues. An Action Memorandum was prepared in late July 2012 and approved by the Removal Branch Chief and Superfund Director.
Update Sept 2012: Lead contaminated soil removal began along several residential properties of Read Avenue in late September. The OSC anticipates that 52 properties will be addressed under this removal action. The OSC continues to coordinate efforts with TDEC, Hamilton County Health Dept and Tenn Health officials. To EPA's knowledge, no children have been impacted be contaminated soils.
