The businesses at the site include a delicatessen and grocery store (1125 Irving Avenue), office space and unoccupied residential apartments with an attached building housing a tire shop (1125 Irving Avenue) and mini-ATV shop; a building with an auto body shop (15-14 Cooper Avenue) and office space; two buildings used for warehouse purposes (1133-1139 Irving Avenue and 1129 Irving Avenue); and a commercial building with an auto repair shop (1127 Irving Avenue).

The Site is located at 1127-1129 Irving Avenue, in Ridgewood, New York located on the Brooklyn/Queens border.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The Site contains active businesses that operate within structures formerly used by Wolff-Alport, a processor of materials that contained radioactive properties. The presence of radioactivity has been documented within and underneath the identified buildings, in the soil at the rear of the structures along a former rail spur, underneath the sidewalk along Irving Avenue in front of the former Wolff Alport building. Persons that work in or access the buildings at the Site or traverse the public sidewalk in front of the Site or trespass the rear portion of the Site will be exposed to ionizing radiation by passing over or coming into contact with these impacted areas. The area around the Site is, in part, residential in nature. A deli/grocery store on the corner of Irving and Cooper Avenues may tend to increase the number of persons that access the sidewalk in front of the Site. The railroad spur behind the building appears to be an area that is accessed by people. Any excavation conducted at the Site, including on Irving Avenue, could result in increased direct gamma radiation exposures to persons working or walking in and around the disturbed area.  
 

Surveys conducted at the Site indicate that elevated levels of radioactivity are present within one foot of the surface at the rear of the Site on the former rail spur. The area consists of bare soil overgrown with weeds. Although the parcel on which the former rail strip is reportedly considered abandoned and current ownership is questionable, the parcel is used to store heavy machinery, crane equipment and, on occasion, vehicles. As a result, the radioactive contamination can be spread offsite under this scenario and potentially be available for inhalation as a particulate since the streets near the Site sustain a significant amount of vehicular movement. Any excavation conducted at the Site, including on Irving Avenue, could result in an increased chance of contaminant migration, both directly on the roadway and through an airborne pathway, which could impact persons near the Site.

October 23, 2012:  EPA OSC meet ERRS on-site. (Mobilization date)

October 24, 2012: EPA OSCs, EPA RIAB, NYC DOHMH, KEMRON, and Weston conducted shielding pilot study at the most elevated radiation levels along Irving Avenue Sidewalk in front of Lot 42 and 44 (Primo Auto Body Bays #1/ #2 and Terra Nova).  Shielding study was also conducted inside of Primo Auto #2 Bay.  The team also surveyed the sidewalk along Irving Avenue and delineated elevated radiation levels.  The area was marked out with pink spray paint (NYC Color Code for survey work).  OSC handed written access agreement to Boro Cabinet.

October 25-26, 2012: EPA OSCs, EPA RIAB, NYC DOHMH, KEMRON, and Weston tamp down foliage on Lot 31, stack debris, and conduct gross radiation survey to identify hot spots.   Crane Company (Auringer) was contacted in person to remove remaining metal plates on Lot 31. The hole in the basement of IS 384 School was sealed.

November 10, 2012: EPA OSCs, EPA RIAB, NYC DOHMH, KEMRON, and Weston performed survey and delineated elevated radiation at Primo #1, Primo #2, and Terra Nova.

December 10, 2012: Radon canisters were placed in IS-384 crawl space area and throughout Audrey Johnson Daycare.  The basement area of IS-384 and portions of Audrey Johnson Daycare were surveyed using the Rad7.  One Rad7 unit was left in the IS-384 crawl space (were the sealed hole is located) to capture data for a three day period.

December 13, 2012: The radon canisters were picked up from IS-384.  The Rad7 that was left for two days in IS-384 had some technical problems.  The instrument was set up again on 12/13/12 and left it for collection until 12/19/12.   The radon canisters were picked up from Audrey Johnson Daycare as well and all the canisters brought to the laboratory on 12/14/12.  The Rad7 was used to complete the survey of the basement, offices and classrooms of Audrey Johnson Daycare.  All quick survey readings using the Rad7 in both schools showed no increase above background in any of the occupied spaces.  However, in one of the electrical closets in the basement of Audrey Johnson Daycare (A closet with an open window to Moffat Street) there were slight increased readings. 

December 18, 2012: Radon canisters were placed in both Primo bays as well as Terra Nova.  OSC Daly, Weston and NYC Health observed the workers in all three bays from 9 AM-5 PM to assist in determining the occupancy factor.  The observers used the diagrams from the previous gamma delineation survey study to identify radiation level areas within the buildings.  A chart was filled out with personnel, times and location specifics.  This along with previous information/employee interviews will be used to determine the occupancy factor needed for the shielding calculations.  OSC Daly is still working with the EPA attorney to gain access to the deli.  This radon sampling will need to be performed separately.

December 19, 2012: The Rad7 was removed from IS-384 and then brought to Audrey Johnson Daycare basement closet for a three day run. 

December 21, 2012: The radon canisters were picked up from both Primo bays and Terra Nova.  The canisters were brought to the laboratory.  The Rad7 was picked up from Audrey Johnson Daycare and then used to perform quick surveys at the Primo and Terra Nova Facilities.

December 27, 2012: The radon results for IS-384 and Audrey Johnson Daycare came back below the EPA action level of 4 pCi/l.

January 02, 2013: Bi-weekly inter-agency phone conference.

January 03, 2013: EPA OSC received the signed access agreement from the Bethel Church of God/Lot 31.

January 08, 2013: EPA OSCs met with NYC DOT to go over sidewalk shielding specifics and permit requirements.

January 09, 2013: The radon results for Primo and Terra Nova came back.  There were a few readings that were slightly above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/l.  Additional sampling will be performed in these areas to confirm these results.

January 10, 2013: EPA, NYC DOHMH and Weston performed the radiological survey on Lot #30 (Boro Cabinets) and Lot #31 (Old railroad spur). 

January 15, 2013: The technical group had a phone conference discussing the shielding recommendation document compiled by EPA and NYC DOHMH.

January 23, 2013: David Weiss, Lot 46, faxed the signed access agreement. 

January 28, 2013: OSC Daly visits Lot 46 tenants to set up radon sampling and analysis for February 4-6, 2013.

February 4, 2013: Radon canister placement at Deli Basement, Deli main floor, and Apartment # 2 (Lot 46).  Canisters also placed at Primo #1 and Terra Nova for verification sampling.

February 5, 2013: Rad 7 Survey at Deli Basement, Deli main floor and Apartment #2

February 6, 2013: Deli Basement PIC survey conducted.  Rad7 ran for 2 hours. 

February 7, 2013: Radon canister results for Deli Basement, Deli main floor, and Apartment # 2 (Lot 46) are all below 4 pCi/l .  However, there were elevated radon readings near basement hole that exhibited readings at approximately 3 pCi/l.  Radon canisters results for Primo #1 and Terra Nova were below 2.5 pCi/l.  The Rad7 readings showed increased Thoron near the basement hole which is consistent with previous investigation of holes/drains in the area.  Further radon sampling for these areas are being planned.

February 13, 2013: Bi-weekly inter-agency phone conference.

March 21, 2013: NYC DOHMH Health Physicist submitted revised proposed shielding document with new Lead layer options.

March 25, 2013: Property surveyor and fencing subcontractors were selected.  The tentative start date for the surveying of Lot 31 is April 8, 2013.  Fencing subcontractor will tentatively begin installation on April 9. 2013.

April 08, 2013:  OSC and ERRS Mobilizes at the Site to prepare Lot #31 for fencing and shielding operations.

April 09, 2013:  Property boundary survey and fence installation begins.

April 10, 2013: Monthly inter-agency phone conference.

April 16, 2013:  Concrete Shielding is installed on Lot #31 (Railroad Spur Property) on the ground along the back of Primo #2 and Terra Nova section of the building.  The fencing installation continues.  Terra Nova Representatives (Lot #44) agrees with shielding proposal.

April 17, 2013:  Rock and clean fill was dropped off and spread in the area of the office trailer (Moffat Street Gate) to form a capped section.  The capped section serves multiple purposes.  First it serves as shielding of the elevated radioactive soil.   The Ludlam 19 readings of the capped area ranges from 10-15 microR/Hr.  The Ludlum 19 readings at the edge of the capped area are 35-40 microR/Hr.  Secondly, this cap will prevent spread of contaminated soil and will be the “clean” zone.  This area will be utilized as the command post for upcoming operations as well as used for parking vehicles and equipment staging.  The fencing installation continues.  Once the fence is complete, the uncapped area will be off limits.

April 19, 2013:  Fence is completed.  OSC meets with radon mitigation system specialist to perform a walkthrough at the Terra Nova facility.

May 02, 2013:  Property Owner for Lot #42 (Primo #2/Terra Nova) agrees to shielding proposal.

May 05, 2013:  Property Owner for Lot #44 (Primo #1) agrees to shielding proposal.

May 08, 2013:  Monthly inter-agency phone conference.

May 14, 2013:  Primo Representative (Tenant at Lot # 42 and Lot # 44) agrees with shielding proposal.

May 23, 2013:  KEMRON Response Manager provides OSC with cost estimate for remainder of response action.

June 03, 2013:  OSC and KEMRON mobilize at site.  The electrician installed an outlet for the radon mitigation system at Terra Nova Facility.  Geotextile fabric and rock/soil mix were dropped off at Lot #31 in order to continue the coverage of the railroad spur property.

June 06, 2013:  Rock/soil mix covering complete at Railroad Spur property.  OSC and KEMRON demobe from Site.

June 13, 2013:  NYS and NYC requested EPA’s assistance in surveying the perimeter around the Wolff Alport Site.  Video phone conference with EPA management, OSCs, EPA Health Physicist, NYC DOHMH, NYC DEP, NYS DOH,  and  NYS DEC.

June 19, 2013:  Monthly inter-agency phone conference.

June 26, 2013:  The Action Memo was revised by OSC Daly and OSC Ferriola and then sent to RPB and RAB Management.

July 01, 2013:  Perimeter Survey phone conference with EPA management, OSCs, EPA Health Physicist, NYC DOHMH, NYC DEP, NYS DOH and NYS DEC.

July 12, 2013:  Perimeter Survey phone conference with EPA management, OSCs, EPA Health Physicist, NYC DOHMH, NYC DEP, NYS DOH and NYS DEC.

July 17, 2013:  Monthly inter-agency phone conference.

July 23, 2013:  The Action Memo was revised and reviewed by RPB Management.

July 25, 2013:  Perimeter Survey phone conference with EPA management, OSCs, EPA Health Physicist, NYC DOHMH, NYC DEP, NYS DOH and NYS DEC.

July 26, 2013:  Perimeter Survey Plan finalized by EPA OSCs, EPA Health Physicist, NYC DOHMH, NYC DEP, NYS DOH and NYS DEC.

July 29, 2013:  Perimeter Survey Field Teams mobilized at Wolff Alport Site (EPA -OSCs Daly and Ferriola, Oleg Povetko, Mazeeda Khan, NYC DOHMH, NYS DOH, Weston and KEMRON).  Survey instrumentation utilized includes: Rad7 (Radon/Thoron Gas detection), Fluke Pressurized Ion Chamber Radiation Survey Meter (Hand held Gamma Radiation detection) and Mobile Detection System (Vehicle Gamma Radiation detection).  Surface soil samples may be obtained by NYS DOH if elevated readings are discovered.  Radon canisters were placed in the Terra Nova office to obtain radon results after the mitigation system was modified on June 03, 2013.

August 5, 2013:  Perimeter Survey completed.

September 4, 2013:  OSC at the Site for mobilization and staging of two (2) 20’Conex Storage Containers and one (1) Office Trailer Generator. Weston Personnel was on-site to start labeling items and taking information in Primo #1.

September 8, 2013:  Mobilization of OSC, ERRS (Foreman and two (2) Techs) and one (1) Weston Tech.  Site Command Post Trailer set up.  Railroad Spur Lot cleared of brush for staging.  The labeling and inventory of Primo #1 equipment continues.

September 9, 2013: Mobilization of additional ERRS Personnel (Operator and one (1) tech).  Primo #1 cleanout commences.  Equipment being systematically relocated to staged storage containers Railroad Spur Property (Lot 31).

September 10, 2013 thru September 13, 2013:  Relocation of equipment to storage containers continued.  OSC Ferriola visited Site to finalize lead (Pb) Shielding design.  A six foot deep pit was discovered under a wooden stage in the rear of Primo #1.  Primo #2 Compressor is located on the stage.  OSC Gallo coordinated site work on September 12th and September 13th. 

September 15, 2013: Primo #1 stage dismantling and compressor relocation.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Primo #1 Floor Preparation

·         Pit fill in with clean soil.

·         Degreasing of the floor

·         Box out and raising of any utilities located within the existing floor

·         Laying of lead (Pb) shielding

·         Framing for concrete

·         Concurrent with Floor Preparation

·         Subcontractor to perform this duty

·         Pouring of concrete

·         Concrete cure

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Start Planning with Terra Nova Operator for equipment relocation.                                                    

2.2.2 Issues

No issues at this time.