Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Southside Chattanooga Lead
Chattanooga, TN - EPA Region IV
POLREP #2
Residential Lead Removal Begins

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Southside Chattanooga Lead - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV

Subject:

POLREP #2
Residential Lead Removal Begins
Southside Chattanooga Lead

Chattanooga, TN
Latitude: 35.0333793 Longitude: -85.3057271

To:

From:

Perry Gaughan, On Scene Coordinator

Date:

10/12/2012

Reporting Period:

Sept 24 thru Oct 8, 2012

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	B4J4	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:	8/19/2012
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	9/17/2012	Start Date:	9/24/2012
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Lead contaminated soil on 52 properties being removed as a time critical removal under CERCLA.

1.1.2 Site Description

The Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) requested the EPA Region 4 Emergency Response and Removal Branch’s (ERRB’s) assistance after discovering that the lawns of one residence and potentially several more were contaminated with lead along Read Avenue near downtown Chattanooga. Initially, one resident along Read Avenue presented to the emergency room with severe fatigue and abdominal pain. Emergency room blood work indicated lead levels approaching 20 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl) which alerted TDEC to conduct follow up assessments. TDEC requested assistance from ERRB to characterize the soil around the home and an initial assessment was conducted with SESD (Science and Ecosystem Support Division) Athens in which three homes were assessed as well as a public park and playground area at 1700 Mitchell Avenue. Ten samples were collected and two samples showed elevated lead levels exceeding 400 ppm.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Southside Chattanooga Lead Site is located along Read, Mitchell and Carr Avenues south of Main Street in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee (Latitude: 35.0456, Longitude: -85.3097). The area is a blend of young, middle income couples who are renovating older constructed homes and low to middle income retired couples who have resided in the area for 20 plus years. The vast majority of homes were built in the early 1900’s.

The Southside Chattanooga area is immediately adjacent to downtown Chattanooga and was prone to flooding during the early 1900’s and prior to the development of damming and flood control measures by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Several of the homes along Read and Mitchell Avenues appear to have been built on 4-5 feet of clay fill.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

In response to a request from TDEC, the EPA Region 4 ERRB with assistance from SESD Athens, conducted two follow up assessments of the Read and Mitchell Avenue area in January and April 2012. Of the 81 homes (162 front and back yards) assessed near downtown Chattanooga, 68 lawns (42 %) have lead levels exceeding 400 ppm. Lead levels range from 400 – 4000 ppm. The 4000 ppm sample was collected from a lawn along the 1600 block of Read Ave and the sample contained very dark fine material, most likely a high concentration of bag-house dust.

In addition, the Battle Academy Elementary School which neighbors the site was sampled in mid June 2012. A 20’ by 20’ grid was laid over the school property and 140 grids were screened using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). No significant lead contamination was found and all lead levels were below 55 ppm.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

Sept 24th through Sept 28th, 2012

During the week of Sept 24th, Region 4 ERRB began the removal action along Read Avenue near downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. The scope of this removal action will address lead-contaminated lawns on 52 properties in the Southside subdivision of Chattanooga along Read, Mitchell and Carr Avenues. Based on sampling activities conducted during the spring and summer of 2012, the OSC requested that three residents delay construction projects because of lead contamination in their lawns. Those lawns are being addressed initially in an effort to work through staging and logistic issues in the neighborhood.

On Tuesday, Sept 25th, removal activities began at 1615 Read Avenue. This house is being totally renovated by the owner, and the back yard was addressed initially because of lead levels exceeding 1000 ppm. START contractors continue to conduct post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray fluorescence (Xrf).

Oct 1st through Oct 5th, 2012

During the week of October 1st, Region 4 ERRB continued removal actions along Read Avenue near downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. The scope of this removal action will address 68 lead-contaminated lawns in the Southside subdivision of Chattanooga. Removal activities continued at two properties along Read Avenue and contaminated soils are being staged one mile from the Site. Three properties along Read Avenue are being addressed initially in an effort to work through staging and logistic issues in the neighborhood. START contractors continue to conduct post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (Xrf). Region 4 CIC LaTonya Spencer continues to coordinating community efforts with the Tennessee Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC).

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*

2.2 Planning Section