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 is addressing 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 also be removed and disposed of at an off site facility.  Air monitoring and sampling is being conducted for the protection of the workers and the public.  In addition, well samples have been 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 September 19, 2011 to September 25, 2011, U.S.EPA along with START and ERRS contractors continued removal activities at the Site, these activities included:   

• Excavated non-hazardous soils from 29 grids (E'-9, D'-9, C'-9, B'-2, B'-9, A'-2, A'-9, A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2, C-1, C-2, D-1, D-2, E-1, E-2, F-1, F-2, G-1, G-2, H-1, I-1, J-1, K-1, L-1, L-2, L-3, M-3)  
• Re-excavated 8 grids based on sampling results indicating exceedences of cleanup levels
• Excavated approximately 180 feet of creek from I line to A' line where sampling identified elevated concentrations of PCBs
• Transported 5 loads of non-hazardous soils to American Landfill for disposal  
• Received 18 loads of backfill for restoration
• Decontaminated and sampled frac tanks, carbon vessel, filters and excavator
• Completed dewatering excavation areas and pumped storm run-off to an on Site frac-tank for treatment
• Discharged 34,000 gallons of treated contact storm run-off  
• Completed dust suppression efforts in load out and excavation areas
• Completed site survey with Ludlum Model 192 gamma radiation detector
• Completed air monitoring for dust and sampling asbestos at site perimeter  
• Collected 31 confirmatory samples from excavated areas
• Confirmation sample results indicated that grids D'-8 and F-5 need to be re-excavated

Sampling of water in the excavation has determined that no additional contaminants are running off or leaching into the storm water.  All equipment that has been in contact with PCB waste will be decontaminated and wipe samples will be collected to ensure decontamination was effective prior to the equipment being transported off the Site.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
U.S. EPA continues its efforts in identifying 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:  

• Excavation of soils exhibiting concentrations of heavy metals, asbestos and PCBs above OEPA's residential direct contact criterion
• Backfilling, grading and restoration of excavated areas
• Installation of water treatement systems at neighboring properties

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

• Continue removal activities
• Conduct confirmation sampling  

2.2.2 Issues
None at this time.