U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Loewenthal Metals - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Progress
Loewenthal Metals
C5C2
Chicago, IL
Latitude: 41.8552702 Longitude: -87.6498706
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To:
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From:
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Steven Faryan, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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7/3/2013
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Reporting Period:
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7/1/2013 through 7/5/13
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
C5C2 |
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Contract Number: |
EP-S5-09-05 |
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D.O. Number: |
0121 |
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Action Memo Date: |
4/22/2013 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
6/24/2013 |
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Start Date: |
6/24/2013 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
ILP00510081 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Time Critical Removal Action
1.1.2 Site Description
Based on historical aerial photos, the Site was home to a large smelting facility and associated railroad spur which operated during the 1940s. In the 1940 Standard Metal Directory, Loewenthal Metals Corporation is listed under aluminum, antimonial lead, The smelter ceased operations in the early 1950s. Additional information regarding the demolition of the facility is not available.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located at 947 West Cullerton Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (Figure 1-1). It is situated near the center of the Pilsen neighborhood, a primarily residential area. The coordinates of the Site are 41°51’19” North latitude and 87°39’0.6” West longitude. The Site is bordered to the north by West Cullerton Street with residential properties beyond, to the east by a recreational trail and South Sangamon Street with BNSF railroad tracks and commercial properties beyond, and to the south and west by residential properties. The Site currently consists of an empty lot, with grass surface cover, which comprises approximately 0.42 acres of land. Sensitive populations near the Site include numerous residential properties, two elementary schools, one high school, and two churches that are located within 1.0 mile of the Site.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
According to historical documents, this Site was home to a metal smelting facility which began operations in the 1940s. Metal constituents found at the Site which exceeded the U.S. EPA Regional Screening Levels (RSLs) include lead, arsenic, copper, mercury, and zinc. (See Action Memorandum for Threats)
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
See POLREP 1
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On July 1, 2013, ERRS continued breaking up the on-site concrete slab. Concrete was then segregated in to hazardous and non-hazardous piles based on visual cues and XRF readings. ERRS collected personal air samples for worker protection purposes.
On July 2, 2013, ERRS continued breaking and sorting concrete from the concrete slab. The excavator was also utilized to remove tree stumps from the southern portion of the Site. A second set of personal air samples were collected for worker safety. Air sample cartridges were submitted to the laboratory for analysis. Results are expected early next week.
On July 3, 2013, ERRS completed the breaking of the concrete slab on site. Sorting operations continued and will continue in to next week.
July 4 is a holiday and July 5 is a mandatory sequester furlough day and no site operations or security will be present.
During all Site operations, START has set-up DataRam units and Personal DataRam (PDR) units to monitor all dust/particulates on and off Site. All data Ram and personal data ram readings have been near or at back ground dust levels for the area (10-100 ug/m3). Average concentrations of dust have been 30-35 ug/m3. All site operations are being conducted using a water fog with a fire hose to minimize dust levels. The action level for nuisance dust is 500 ug/m3.
Response Contractor personnel are being monitored with personnel pumps and particulate cassettes which are sent to STAT labs for lead analysis. A personnal data ram has been deployed in the cab of the excavator to monitor dust levels for on site personnel.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
On June 21, U.S. EPA and BNSF contractor collected soil borings from the railroad property which lies east of the former Loewenthal property and the property runs to the south to 21st street. The samples were shipped to the lab on June 21. Preliminary results were received on 7/1/2013. Final QA/QC of the data is in progress. A map has been prepared to evaluate the samples collected on the BNSF property.
Mobilization of ERRS and START contractors began on June 24, 2013.
During the week of June 24 through June 27, 2013, ERRS extended the Site fencing and border in to the parking lane along W. Cullerton Street per the permit obtained from the City of Chicago. ERRS mobilized a large excavator to the Site and began breaking the large concrete slab on Site. ERRS personnel removed large trees from the south portion of the Site. A tree mulching sub-contractor was mobilized to the Site to chip up the trees and transport the chips for disposal. ERRS mobilized a Conix storage box to the Site for equipment storage.
On June 25, 2013, OSC Faryan and U.S. EPA community relations hosted a "open house" at the Casa Morales condos South of the Site. Local community members and groups were invited to the information session.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The owner of the property has been identified, but has been non- responsive to repeated attempts to arrange for access to the property.
The U.S. EPA has obtained a warrant from a U.S. Magistrate to conduct the Site Assessment and Emergency Removal Action.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
ERRS contractors will continue segregation of concrete in to "hazardous" and "non-hazardous" piles while awaiting disposal.
ERRS will excavate the top 1 foot of soil off the property and stage it while awaiting analysis and disposal.
Disposal profiles are prepared and submitted for the non-hazardous soil, concrete, and treated hazardous soil.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
ERRS will excavate the Site down to 3 feet and it will be back-filled with clean material. The excavated material will be fixated on-Site and shipped off for disposal.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
ERRS contractors will continue the segregation of concrete on-site.
2.2.2 Issues
Inclement weather at the Site has continued to be a concern on site. Monitoring of weather forecasts will be included in the morning Site Health and Safety Meeting.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
Nick Michaileas- ERRS Health And Safety Officer
Tonya Balla - START Health And Safety Officer
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
2.5.3 Information Officer
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
US EPA is the lead agency on Site.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
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4. Personnel On Site
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US EPA (1)
ERRS (4)
START (1)
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5. Definition of Terms
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RSL - Regional Screening Level
RML - Removal Management Level
ERRS - Emergency Removal and Response Services
START - Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
6.2 Reporting Schedule
POLREPs will be generated on a weekly basis during removal activities on-Site.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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