1.1.1 Incident Category
CERCLA Incident Category:  Inactive Recycling Facility

1.1.2 Site Description

1.1.2.1 Location

See Initial Polrep.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The presence of heavy metals, PCBs, asbestos and numerous drums and compressed gas cylinders presents potential threats to human health and the environment by exposures to impacted air, soil and water at and around the Site.
 
See Initial Polrep for additional information.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Primary contaminants of concern identified during the Site Assessment included: heavy metals (antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury), asbestos (chrysotile) and PCBs (Aroclor 1242 and 1254).

See Initial Polrep for additional information.

2.1.1 Narrative

The Time-Critical Removal Action at the New Lyme Metals Site will address the presence of heavy metals and PCBs in the soils by excavating and disposing of the impacted material off site.  All asbestos containing materials, drums and compressed gas cylinders will be removed and disposed off site as well.  Air monitoring and sampling will be conducted for the protection of the workers and the public.  In addition, well samples will be collected to determine if any of the contaminants on Site have impacted the ground water. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
During the period of July 5 to July 8, 2011, U.S.EPA along with START and ERRS contractors continued removal activities at the Site, these activities included: 

• Completed consolidating non-hazardous debris for transportation and disposal
• Transported 19 loads of debris for disposal at American Landfill in Waynesburg, Ohio
• Began excavating impacted areas beginning along the eastern edge and working west
• Completed excavation of 9 Grids of non-hazardous soils containing elevated concentrations of heavy metals (L-6, L-7, M-6, M-7, N-5, N-6, N-7, O-5, O-6)
• Completed excavation of J-2 and staged soils in mixing pit for treatment of TCLP cadmium and lead
• Excavated and removed septic tank
• Continued consolidating asbestos panels, capacitors and mercury rectifiers
• Continued dust suppression efforts at load out area and excavation areas
• Continued segregating tires and recyclable materials from non-hazardous debris
• Dewatered low areas within the Site perimeter
• Continued site survey's with Lumex Mercury Vapor Analyzer and Ludlum Model 192 gamma radiation detector
• Continued air sampling for arsenic, cadmium, lead, PCBs and asbestos at site perimeter 

Air sampling results continue to show detectable concentrations of PCBs at the Site perimeter but well below the OSHA PEL.  Additionally, perimeter samples did detect asbestos fibers at the Site perimeter but again well below occupational exposure limits.  The fibers were identifies as amosite which differs from the previously identified chrysotile found in the electric panels on Site. Sample results for metals continue to be non-detect.  The results continue to be forwarded to ATSDR for review.      

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
U.S. EPA continues its efforts in determining viable potentially responsible parties as well as identifying and locating additional locations where the operations took place.  Currently, U.S. EPA has identified two possible locations where activities, similar to those at New Lyme Metals, may have taken place.   

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

This Reporting Period:

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Removal action will include the following:

• Removal of non-hazardous debris (recycled when possible) in order to access contaminated area
• Excavation and disposal of TSCA wastes
• Excavation, treatment and disposal of TCLP cadmium and lead wastes
• Excavation of soils exhibiting concentrations of heavy metals, asbestos and PCBs above OEPA's residential direct contact criterion
• Consolidation and disposal of asbestos panels, PCB containing capacitors and mercury rectifiers
• Consolidation, characterization and disposal of drums and compressed gas cylinders
• Backfilling, grading and restoration of excavated areas

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

• Continue removal activities
• Continue perimeter air sampling for asbestos, PCBs and heavy metals
• Review results of air and ground water samples
• Complete assessment of creek and property immediately to the west of the Site
• Conduct confirmation sampling 

2.2.2 Issues
Due to the continued detectable concentrations of PCBs at the Site perimeter, the use of a vapor suppressing foam is being investigated for use during the remainder of Site activities.