1.1.1 Incident Category
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Incident Category:  Manufacturing/Processing/Maintenance - Lumber and wood products/wood preserving/treatment

1.1.2 Site Description

The site is the former Hoosier Wood Preservers.  The site is 7.75 acres in size and has ten buildings, including process buildings, storage buildings, a garage, and office. 

The facility operated from 1969 to 2013 as a wood treating business that used chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and borate in pressurized wood treatment cylinders.   Historically, the facility also used creosote and pentachlorophenol to treat wood.  The facility has been abandoned since 2013. 

1.1.2.1 Location

Hoosier Wood Preservers is located at 3605 Farnsworth Street in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  Site coordinates are 39.7224100 degrees north latitude and 86.2212300 degrees west longitude.  The site is located approximately 3.5 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis.

The surrounding area is primarily industrial, although commercial properties are located to the south.  Residential properties are within 200 feet to the east and northeast.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Arsenic is present in soil, material on the ground, and fire debris at a maximum concentration of 272,000 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), above the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) industrial Removal Management Level (RML) of 300 mg/kg. Arsenic is a hazardous substance as defined by section 101(14) of CERCLA. Laboratory analytical results confirmed the presence of arsenic at concentrations exceeding relevant regulatory and screening levels.  Hazardous substances represent an actual or potential exposure threat to nearby human populations. Possible release mechanisms for arsenic in soil include fugitive dust generation; tracking of contaminated soil, ash, and material on the ground; and dermal contact with contaminated material. Exposure routes include direct contact, ingestion, and inhalation of arsenic particles. Potential human receptors include trespassers, emergency response workers, future site workers, and nearby residents. There was evidence of trespassing at the site.  Residential properties are located within 200 feet of the site. 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

A summary of analytical results received during the reporting period is below.

• EPA collected sample HWP-FTBsoilE-151210 for disposal analysis from treated soil in the former Treatment Building. The disposal facility required dioxin and furan analysis because pentachlorophenol was detected as an underlying hazardous constituent (UHC).  Total hexachlorodibenzofurans, total hexachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzofuran were detected above the universal treatment standards.

2.1.1 Narrative
EPA signed an Action Memorandum on August 8, 2015 to conduct time-critical removal actions. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

For the reporting period, EPA:     

• Shipped approximately 307 tons of hazardous concrete from the former Treatment Building to Envirosafe in Oregon, Ohio for encapsulation;
• Shipped approximately 291 tons of non-hazardous treated soils to Twin Bridges landfill in Danville, Indiana; 
• Shipped one 30 cubic yard roll-off box of scrap metal to OmniSource in Indianapolis for recycling;
• Demolished piping found during excavation of the former Treatment Building;
• Completed backfilling the Wood Stacker Building and former Treatment Building excavations;
• Conducted air monitoring for particulates;
• Secured waste remaining on-site;
• Decontaminated equipment; and
• Prepared for temporary demobilization.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
EPA identified the current property owner and the former operator of the wood treating business.  Information on these parties is in the site file.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
The following section details anticipated activities.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
EPA is waiting on bids to dispose of soil that contains dioxins and furans as UHCs.  Once waste profiles for soil have been approved, EPA will return to the site in early 2016 to complete disposal.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
See above.

2.2.2 Issues

None

2.5.1 Safety Officer
On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Lam is responsible for addressing worker health and safety concerns at a response scene, in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 300.150.  Site personnel are working under a site-specific health and safety plan, and attending daily health and safety briefings.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

Not applicable (NA)

2.5.3 Information Officer

NA

3.1 Unified Command
NA

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
For additional information, refer to www.epaosc.org/hwptcr.

6.2 Reporting Schedule