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Site Number: |
B4J4 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
8/19/2012 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
9/17/2012 |
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Start Date: |
9/24/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Lead contaminated soil on 52 properties being removed as a time critical removal under CERCLA.
1.1.2 Site Description
The Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation
(TDEC) requested the EPA Region 4 Emergency Response and Removal Branch’s
(ERRB’s) assistance after discovering that the lawns of one residence and
potentially several more were contaminated with lead along Read Avenue near
downtown Chattanooga. Initially, one
resident along Read Avenue presented to the emergency room with severe fatigue
and abdominal pain. Emergency room blood work indicated lead levels approaching
20 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl) which alerted TDEC to conduct follow up
assessments. TDEC requested assistance from ERRB to characterize the soil
around the home and an initial assessment was conducted with SESD (Science and
Ecosystem Support Division) Athens in which three homes were assessed as well
as a public park and playground area at 1700 Mitchell Avenue. Ten samples were
collected and two samples showed elevated lead levels exceeding 400 ppm.
1.1.2.1 Location
The
Southside Chattanooga Lead Site is located along Read, Mitchell and Carr
Avenues south of Main Street in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee
(Latitude: 35.0456, Longitude: -85.3097). The area is a blend of young, middle
income couples who are renovating older constructed homes and low to middle
income retired couples who have resided in the area for 20 plus years. The vast
majority of homes were built in the early 1900’s.
The
Southside Chattanooga area is immediately adjacent to downtown Chattanooga and
was prone to flooding during the early 1900’s and prior to the development of
damming and flood control measures by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Several of the homes along Read and Mitchell Avenues appear to have been built
on 4-5 feet of clay fill.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
In response to a request from TDEC, the EPA Region 4 ERRB
with assistance from SESD Athens, conducted two follow up assessments of the
Read and Mitchell Avenue area in January and April 2012. Of the 81 homes (162 front and back yards)
assessed near downtown Chattanooga, 68 lawns (42 %) have lead levels exceeding
400 ppm. Lead levels range from 400 – 4000 ppm. The 4000 ppm sample was
collected from a lawn along the 1600 block of Read Ave and the sample contained
very dark fine material, most likely a high concentration of bag-house dust.
In addition, the Battle Academy Elementary School which
neighbors the site was sampled in mid June 2012. A 20’ by 20’ grid was laid
over the school property and 140 grids were screened using X-ray fluorescence
spectroscopy (XRF). No significant lead contamination was found and all lead
levels were below 55 ppm.
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2.1.1 Narrative
Jan 7th through Jan 12th, 2013
During the week of January 7th, the ERRs
crew removed fencing between 1719 and 1721 Read Ave as well as removed
vegetation near contaminated areas prior to removing contaminated soils
from between the two homes. On Jan 8th, ERRs began removing contaminated
soils from the backyards of 1719 and 1721 Read Ave and approximately
120 cubic yards of contaminated soil were removed from both yards over a
two day period. Heavy rains fell the remainder of the week limiting
backfilling operations at 1719 and 1721 Read.
The OSC and Start contractor conducted additional assessment activities
around the foundation of 1605 and 1607 Read Ave to further define areas
of contamination. The OSC further tasked Start to photodocument the
exterior of 1607 Read because of obvious structural failures in the
exterior brick wall at several corners of the structure. Start was
instructed to consult with their corporate structural engineers and
advise the OSC on 1607's structural integrity during excavation
activities.
START contractors continue to assist with technical support,
daily operations, post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray
fluorescence spectroscopy (Xrf) and air sampling during excavation and staging
of contaminated soils.
Jan 14th through Jan 19th, 2013
During the week of January 14th, ERRs contractors continued removal actions in the
Southside subdivision of Chattanooga,
Tenn. Rain during the beginning
of the week limited soil removal operations.
On Tuesday, Jan 15th, OSC Kevin Eichinger reviewed health and
safety procedures and air sampling results for the first six weeks of the
removal. OSC Eichinger agreed with the OSC/Start interpretation of air result findings to date and measures to modify excavation activities to Level C protection if areas exceeding 7500 ppm lead were identified during excavation. No significant safety or air monitoring issues were noted. A few minor additions and amendments to the HASP were suggested and implemented by the OSC.
On
Wednesday, Jan 16th, the OSC requested START subcontract a
structural engineer to advise the OSC on excavation activities near the older
homes along Read and Mitchell Avenues. Recent rains have completely saturated
the soil and a number of homes along Read Ave were constructed during 1895 to
1905 with a shallow flagstone foundation.The structural engineer from URS Inc. visited the site to view residential structures of
concern, primarily 1607 Read, 1622 Read, and 1623 Read. Other homes assessed
included 1619 Read and 19 E. 19th
Street. ERRs project manager accompanied the engineer during the home inspections. The structural
engineer stated the most dilapidated homes were 1607 Read and 1622 Read, and
suggested vibration testing and to make efforts to avoid the foundation. A formal report will be submitted to OTIE on Monday,
Jan 21st.
On Jan 17th, START and ERRs contractors walked the neighborhood to determine if any properties had ponding
water/flooding issues due to heavy rainfall. ERRs noted that the south side of 1622 Read Avenue will
require a french drain during soil removal.
On Jan 18th, operations began at 0900 due to potential ice on roadways. ERRS exposed the clay and topsoil backfill material to
heat – three cylindrical heaters were placed within a valley in the soil piles
and tarped, allowing for air flow through the tent. The soil piles were exposed
to heat for several hours to allow the soil to dry in an effort to have
backfill material ready for placement the following work period.
The OSC continues to coordinate clean
up efforts and assessments with Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC)
and Tenn Dept of Health as well as Hamilton
County health officials.
START contractors continue to assist with technical support, daily operations
and post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
(Xrf).
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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