|
|
|
|
Site Number: |
A3XU |
|
Contract Number: |
|
|
D.O. Number: |
|
|
Action Memo Date: |
4/10/2014 |
|
Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
|
Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
|
Response Lead: |
EPA |
|
Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
|
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
|
Operable Unit: |
|
|
Mobilization Date: |
4/15/2014 |
|
Start Date: |
4/10/2014 |
|
Demob Date: |
|
|
Completion Date: |
|
|
CERCLIS ID: |
|
|
RCRIS ID: |
|
|
ERNS No.: |
|
|
State Notification: |
|
|
FPN#: |
|
|
Reimbursable Account #: |
|
1.1.1 Incident Category
Time Critical Removal Action
1.1.2 Site Description
This Site was originally brought to the attention of EPA Remedial Project Manager (RPM) for the Price Battery Remedial Site, by the property owner, in 2012. At that time the property owner was inquiring about how to handle and/or dispose of soil containing battery fragments, as he was planning a home renovation project. The RPM relayed the property owner’s concern to EPA OSC Richardson, requesting assistance from the Removal Program in assessing areas of concern at the property.
In September, 2013, EPA, along with a START contractor, met with the homeowner at the Site property. At this time a removal assessment was conducted, confirming the reported battery fragments in the surface soil, in several locations around the property. During the removal assessment, approximately 25 randomly selected X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) screening locations on the property, were screened for lead. Fourteen of these locations revealed lead concentrations ranging from 648 to 31,600ppm (exceeding the established residential risk based screening/action level concentration of 572 ppm, used at the Price Battery, and Hamburg Lead Sites).
1.1.2.1 Location
The –Hamburg Residential Lead Site, located on 6th St, in Hamburg, Windsor Township, Berks County, PA, is owned by a residential property owner. The approximate 1.5 acre property consists of a roughly 2,000 square foot house, two car garage, gravel driveway, vegetable garden (40’x40’), children’s play area, and a firewood shed, and dog and chicken pens. The Property is adjoined by other residential properties, and a partially wooded property owned by the Hamburg Gun Club.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The Site is a residential property. Battery casings were observed in bare soil and sampling results indicate elevated lead concentrations.
Section 300.415 of the NCP lists factors to be considered in determining the appropriateness of a Removal Action. Paragraphs (b)(2)(i), (iv), (v), and (vii) of Section 300.415 directly apply as follows to the conditions as they exist at the Site.
A. 300.415 (b)(2)(i) Actual or potential exposure to nearby human populations,
animals, or the food chain from hazardous substances or
pollutants or contaminants;
Lead-contaminated soil and soil containing lead-contaminated materials are located at the Site. Battery casings are exposed at the surface. Contact with the soil or waste material and subsequent incidental ingestion of contaminated soil pose a significant threat to human health of nearby populations.
In the absence of cleanup activities, the Site poses a potential direct contact threat to human receptors (residents). Incidental ingestion of lead in the soil or sediment at the Site may result in increased blood lead levels. Lead is known to adversely affect the central nervous system.
B. 300.415 (b)(2)(iv) High levels of hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants
in soils largely at or near the surface, that may migrate;
The hazardous substances located in the soils at the Site include lead contaminated, exposed surface soil on a residential property. While vegetation is generally heavy, bare soil can be observed in several areas. There is a potential for migration due to runoff and erosion from the slope.
C. 300.415 (b)(2)(v) Weather conditions that may cause hazardous substances or
pollutants or contaminants to migrate or be released;
The exposed surface soils are susceptible to erosion by wind and precipitation. Due to the steep slope, runoff during rain events may cause the migration of hazardous substances to the marshy area that is down gradient of contaminated areas.
D. 300.415 (b)(2)(vii) The availability of other appropriate Federal or State response
mechanisms to respond to the release;
The PADEP has requested EPA assistance with the Site due to inability to fund the action at this time. No other federal or state response mechanisms are currently available to perform the actions necessary to mitigate the threats to public health and the environment presented by the release or threatened release of hazardous substances at the Site.
1.1.2.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
The removal site evaluation revealed battery casings and elevated concentrations of lead in the surface soils. Lead is a hazardous substance as defined in Section 101 (14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 (14) and is listed as such in 40 C.F.R. § 302.4. As previously mentioned, XRF data revealed lead concentrations as high as 31,600 ppm in the exposed surface soils in several areas that were screened during the September 2013 removal assessment. There were also visible battery fragments observed in multiple areas that were not screened using an XRF. At similar Sites in the Berks County area, where fill material containing battery fragments have been identified, lead concentrations in soils have been as high as 300,000 ppm. As part of recent comprehensive extent of contamination survey, surface and subsurface soil samples are being analyzed to determine the full extent of lead contamination. The total quantity of lead-contaminated soil and waste at the Site is currently unknown.
|
