The Lumen Bearing Co. Site ("Site") is a former foundry/smelter located at 197 Lathrop Street, Buffalo, NY. The Site buildings were demolished by the City of Buffalo sometime in 2012. In May 2015, EPA directed the installation of a 6-foot high chain-link security fence along the perimeter of the 2.8 acre unsecured vacant lot.  This action was completed under written approval/authorization provided in the Action Memorandum dated April 27, 2015 (RV-1). Concurrent to fence installation activities, additional soil assessment sampling was conducted at the Site.  Based upon the analytical results obtained, funds were requested to stabilize the Site with stone to prevent the off-site migration of soils containing heavy metals. On May 27, 2016 (RV-2), written approval/authorization was received to proceed with the proposed activities.

1.1.2.1 Location
197 Lathrop Street, Buffalo, NY

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted sampling events in November 2014, April 2015 and May 2015 at the Site.  Results showed lead concentrations as high as 8,200 parts per million (ppm) in the top six inches of soil, and as high as 22,000 ppm in subsurface soil at depths to 36-inches below the surface.  As a result, the Site presented a threat to public health by direct contact to contaminated soil.  Furthermore, contaminated soil may migrate onto adjacent residential properties from surface water discharge and air dispersion.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Lumen Bearing Company was the Site of former foundry/smelter operations. The Site was verbally discussed with representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) in 2013 after a nationwide study of former lead foundry/smelters in the United States were identified by William P. Eckel in a doctoral dissertation for George Mason University and was based on entries in historical trade publications. The research was summarized in the article “Discovering Unrecognized Lead-Smelting Sites by Historical Methods” (Eckel, et al., 2001), which was published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Based on EPA’s review of additional historical documents including city directories, aerial photographs, and Sanborn® (Sanborn) fire insurance maps, as well as an evaluation of current Site conditions, EPA initiated an investigation at the Site in October and November 2014. EPA collected soil samples from the property and analyzed them for Target Analyte List (TAL) parameters plus tin (Sn). Four samples were collected from within the property with two of the samples collected from locations within the footprint of the former building. Lead concentrations ranged from 34 parts per million (ppm) to 7,800 ppm in the top inch of soil.  Concentrations as high as 20,000 ppm were found in the six inch to eighteen inch interval of soil  at three locations, two of which were from the former building footprint area.  On April 14, 2015 EPA conducted a second sampling event to better characterize surface soil on the property. A total of 46 locations were identified based on a 50’ x 50’ grid of the site. Soil samples were collected at the 0 to one inch interval and one inch to six inch interval of soil and field tested for lead using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The samples collected from the top inch of soil contained lead in concentrations that ranged from 13ppm to 5,032ppm and in the one to six inch interval lead concentrations ranged from 11ppm to 4,061ppm. The lead contamination is believed to have been the result of the facilities historic smelting operations. 

Based on the results from the April 2014 investigation, EPA determined additional sampling was required to fully characterize the nature and extent of metals contamination.  In May 2015, a total of 62 test pits were excavated to a depth of 36-inches below grade.  Locations were established on a 50-foot grid pattern across the entire property.  From each test pit, five (5) discreet soil samples were collected, which resulted in the collection of 310 soil samples for target analyte list (TAL) analysis.   Sampling intervals included 0-1", 1"-6", 6"-12", 18"-24" and 30"-36" intervals below the ground surface. The concentration range and average for lead by depth interval is provided below:

     *  0-1" interval - lead ranged from 28 to 8,200 ppm, average concentration of 605ppm;
     *  1"-6" interval - lead ranged from 17 to 4,100 ppm, average concentration of 581ppm;
     *  6"-12" interval - lead ranged from 13 to 4, 600 ppm, average concentration of 696ppm;
     *  18"-24" interval - lead ranged from 7 to 22,000 ppm, average concentration of 914ppm; and
     *  30"-36" interval - lead ranged from 7 to 2,200 ppm, average concentration of 311ppm.

Due to the presence of high concentrations of lead in Site soils, EPA conducted a RV-1 removal action followed by a RV-2 removal action.  These actions served to minimize the publics access to the Site and stabilize surface soil to prevent off-site migration.

2.1.1 Narrative
Under RV-1, EPA directed the installation of a six-foot high chain-link security fence with appropriate signage around the approximately 1,800-foot perimeter of the Site, installed hay bales and siltation booms to control surface water leaving the property and grass seeded disturbed portions of the property.  The City of Buffalo, owner of the property, completed the removal of three underground oil storage tanks, which EPA identified during a review of historical documents, and recycled approximately 15,000-gallons of heating oil. 

Under RV-2, EPA directed the clearing of Site vegetation, placement of geotechnical fabric over the surface soils, and placing approximately 3-inches of crushed stone over the entire Site to stabilize the surface area and prevent the migration of contamination beyond the property.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Response actions completed prior to RV-2 activities are documented in POLREPs 1, 2 and 3 in the RV-1 website.  https://www.epaosc.org/LumenBearingCO

An Administrative Record has been established for the site.  The documents can be found in the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library (Cheektowaga branch) located at 1030 Losson Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14227. 

Reporting Period - May 27 through August 02, 2016:

On May 27, 2016, the EPA Region 2 Emergency and Remedial Response Division Director signed an Action Memorandum approving the action proposed under the RV-2 action memorandum.  The proposed actions included clearing the Site of vegetation, placing a geotechnical fabric over the surface soils and placing three inches of one inch crushed stone over the entire Site to stabilize the surface soil and prevent the migration of contamination from the property. 

On July 11, 2016, EPA's Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor mobilized the necessary personnel, supplies and equipment to the Site to implement the proposed actions. 126,000 square feet of geotechnical fabric and 2,150-tons of crushed stone were utilized to complete the work. 

On July 18, 2016, all actions detailed in the Action Memorandum were completed.  The actions taken have mitigated the direct contact threats and the potential for off-site migration of Site contaminants.

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

No additional activities are anticipated at this time.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

None.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Next steps include completing project close-out activities.

2.2.2 Issues

None.

* The above accounting of expenditures is an estimate based on figures known to the OSC at the time this report was written. The OSC does not necessarily receive specific figures on final payments made to any contractor(s). Other financial data which the OSC must rely upon may not be entirely up-to-date. The cost accounting provided in this report does not necessarily represent an exact monetary figure which the government may include in any claim for cost recovery.

2.5.1 Safety Officer
N/A

2.5.2 Liaison Officer
N/A

2.5.3 Information Officer

Michael Basile, Region 2, PAD Buffalo; and Elisa Rodriguez, Region 2, PAD NYC

3.1 Unified Command
N/A

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

City of Buffalo, NY - Property Owner, Envl. Manager-Dennis Sutton

NYSDEC - David Szymanski, david.szymanski@dec.ny.gov