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Southside Chattanooga Lead

All POL/SITREP's for this site Southside Chattanooga Lead
Chattanooga, TN - EPA Region IV
POLREP #6
Residential Soil Removal Continues 		Printer Friendly  |   PDF
 
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 #6
Residential Soil Removal Continues
Southside Chattanooga Lead

Chattanooga, TN
Latitude: 35.0333793 Longitude: -85.3057271

To:
From: Perry Gaughan, On Scene Coordinator
Date: 12/11/2012
Reporting Period: Nov 26th thru Dec 8th 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

Nov 26th through Dec 1st, 2012

During the week of November 26th, Region 4 ERRB continued removal actions in the Southside subdivision of Chattanooga, Tenn. Residential clean ups were begun at 1711, 1715 and 1717 Read Avenue. ERRs contractors mobilized additional equipment and a mini-loader to assist with soil excavations in narrow areas between some of the homes along Read Ave. Initially during the soil removal, a number of plants and vegetation was removed and dilapidated fencing was removed between two of the homes. A liner was placed along the foundation of 1715 Read after the owner informed the crew that he often has flooding issues in his basement. Contaminated areas were excavated from the front yards and along the foundation, lined and backfilled with clay and a four inch top soil cover prior to sodding. Clay and topsoil was placed on Nov 30th and sodding took place on Dec 1st.  

START contractors continue to assist with technical support, daily operations, post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (Xrf) and air sampling during excavation and staging of contaminated soils.

The OSC, Tenn Dept of Health and Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) are currently preparing an assessment strategy for Chattanooga City Council addressing future lead assessments in the downtown area. The OSC continues to coordinate all site activities with state and local health authorities. 

Dec 3rd through Dec 8th, 2012

During the week of December 3rd, Region 4 ERRB continued removal actions in the Southside subdivision of Chattanooga, Tenn. Contaminated soil removal was completed from the back yard of 1717 Read Ave as well as the front yards of 1719 and 1721 Read Ave. In addition, ERRs contractors completed soil removal from the back yards of 1711 and 1715 Read, backfilled the yards with clay and topsoil. Sodding of 1711 and 1715 Read were completed by the end of the week and driveway areas disturbed by ERRs contractors were properly graveled and graded to the owners specifications. All vegetation was replaced to the owners specifications.



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
    No information available at this time.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    No information available at this time.
3. Participating Entities
  No information available at this time.
4. Personnel On Site
  No information available at this time.
5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.