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Site Type: Long Term/National Priorities List (NPL)  |
NUCLEAR METALS |
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| Concord, Massachusetts |
Middlesex County
| Street Address: | 2229 MAIN STREET |
| Zip Code: | 01742 |
Congressional
District(s): |
05 |
| EPA ID #: | MAD062166335 |
| Site ID #: | 0100550 |
| Site Aliases: | Starmet Corporation
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| Site Responsibility: | Potentially Responsible Parties |
| NPL LISTING HISTORY |
| Proposed Date | 07/27/2000 |
| Final Date | 06/14/2001 |
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Site Description
The Nuclear Metals, Inc. (NMI) site, also known as the Starmet Corporation, is located on a 46.4-acre parcel located at 2229 Main Street in Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. The facility includes five interconnected buildings, a paved parking area, a sphagnum bog, a cooling water recharge pond, and a holding basin. The topography of the property slopes down to the north. The property is bordered to the north by Main Street, commercial and residential properties, and the Assabet River; to the east by woodland and residential properties; to the west by woodland and commercial/industrial properties; and to the south by woodland and residential properties.
In 1958, NMI began operating a manufacturing facility on previously undeveloped land. Nuclear Metals, Inc. produced depleted uranium products, primarily as penetrators for armor piercing ammunition. They also manufactured metal powders for medical applications, photocopiers, and speciality metal products, such as beryllium tubing used in the aerospace industry. From 1958 to 1985, NMI discharged wastes to an unlined holding basin. Cast depleted uranium ingots or billets were jacketed in copper, which were heated and extruded into long rod stock. The extruded depleted uranium rod had a resulting thin layer of copper coating, which was removed in a nitric acid pickling operation. During the pickling process, "small quantities" of copper and uranium were dissolved in the nitric acid. The spent nitric acid solution was collected, neutralized with a lime slurry, and then discharged to the unlined, in-ground holding basin. Small quantities of other speciality metal products including steel jacketed beryllium, stainless steel, and titanium alloys were also pickled at various times with several different acids (nitric, hydrofluoric, and sulfuric), and discharged to the holding basin. The discharge to the holding basin ceased in 1985 when NMI began using an acid closed-loop recycling process.
In addition to natural and depleted uranium (as elemental, oxide, and fluoride), NMI handled thorium and thorium oxide under license to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC); sulfuric and nitric acids for process activities; 1,1,1-trichloroethane as a solvent; trichlorofluoroethane as a degreaser; zirconium; magnesium; beryllium; acetone; hydrogen peroxide; flammable gases (propane and acetylene); and oxygen. Two 10,000-gallon underground storage tanks were used for the storage of No. 4 fuel oil. Several of the following oils were used and recycled on site: DTE light, DTE heavy, Medium DTE 25, vacuum oil (HE1SO), and No. 7d.
On October 1, 1997, NMI was renamed Starmet Corporation. In March 1997, the company's license to handle source material (including depleted uranium, thorium, and thorium oxide) under the NRC was transferred to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Radiation Control Program. In accordance with Massachusetts state license SM-0179, Starmet is allowed to store source material (including depleted uranium, thorium, and thorium oxide).
Threats and Contaminants
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (MADEQE) collected ground water samples and detected volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in NMI's supply well, previously used for drinking water. Analytical results indicate that the ground water beneath the property is contaminated with radionuclides (i.e., uranium and thorium), and to a lesser extent, VOCs. In addition, a sphagnum bog on the property has also been sampled and has shown evidence of radionuclides. Soil, sediment, and surface water samples taken historically and recently indicate that the holding basin, sphagnum bog, and the cooling water recharge pond all have elevated levels of depleted uranium. Poly Chlorinated Bi-phenyls (PCBs) have been found in various soils and sediments on-site. The on-stie buildings and structures are severely contaminated with depleted uranium and other hazardous substances.
Cleanup Approach
In 1998, Nuclear Metals, Inc. conducted a voluntary partial cleanup of contaminated soils under The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) oversight. The partial cleanup consisted of excavation and transportation off site of approximately 8,000 cubic yards of soil contaminated with depleted uranium and copper. The cleanup halted in late 1998 when Nuclear Metals determined that the cleanup level set by MADEP could not be met without excavating significantly more material. The Site has since been listed on the National Priorities List; further evaluation of remaining contamination at the site will be addressed under EPA authority.
Response Action Status
| Initial Action | A time-critical removal assessment was conducted to determine if buried drums on site contain hazardous material. Two areas containing buried drums and other laboratory equipment were located during the removal assessment: one in a fenced-in area adjacent to the holding basin and cooling water pond, and contains approximately 70 drums; the other, called the "old landfill" contains an unknown number of drums and laboratory equipment. A time-critial removal action has been conducted which included: 1) installation of fencing around the "old landfill" area where buried drums are located; 2) regrading and capping of the "old landfill" area; and 3) installation of a liner in the holding basin to eliminate fugitive dust and reduce the leaching of contaminated soils into the groundwater. Sampling and analysis of soils in the holding basin was conducted in September 2001 to fill data gaps in previous sampling efforts and to determine if data from past sampling efforts performed by Starmet are comparable to EPA data. In June 2002, EPA assumed the groundwater monitoring program previously performed by Starmet. During the June 2002 sampling event, EPA also sampled sediment and surface water on-site and in the Assabet River. EPA sampled the groundwater monitoring wells again in July 2003 before turning site work over to Potentially Responsible Parties. |
| Remedial Investigation | Remedial Investigation field work is currently ongoing. For up to date information, see "Current Site Status" below or go to www.nmisite.org, which is maintained by the Potentially Responsible Parties' consultants. |
| second time-critical removal action | In January 2008, EPA began a second time-critical removal action to address the lab chemicals and various other flammable/hazardous materials inside the facility buildings. Material removed from the facility will be disposed of off-site. Removal is 95% complete with an expected completion time of fall 2008. |
| Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) | In February 2008, EPA issued an EE/CA to evaluate alternatives to address the contaminated facility buildings. In April 2008, EPA issued a fact sheet seeking public comment on EPA's proposal to demolish the facility buildings on site. The public comment period ended on June 12, 2008, After the public comment period, EPA signed an Action Memorandum on September 23, 2008, authorizing the demolition of contaminated buildings at the Nuclear Metals Superfund Site. Under this removal action all building contents will be removed, followed by the demolition and disposal of all buildings and debris. Concrete building slabs will remain in-place so as not to disturb potentially-contaminated underlying soil. Sumps and depressions in the slab will be filled and slabs will be entirely overlain with a short-term cap or sealed until a future EPA decision is made regarding the handling of underlying site soils. EPA will soon begin negotiations with the potentially responsible parties for the performance of the demolition and associated cleanup work. The estimated cost for this NTCRA is $63.9 million. |
Environmental Progress
Removal of 8,000 cubic yards of soil from the holding basin by Starmet under MADEP oversight has reduced the threat of potential exposure at the site. Lining of the holding basin has reduced potential exposure to contaminated dust, and installation of a fence and capping of the landfill has reduced the potential exposures to nearby residents as well. Removal of more than 3000 drums of depleted uranium and other materials from the facility by MADEP with Army funding has also reduced the threat of potential exposure and threat of release of contaminants at the site.
Current Site Status
A time-critical removal action has been conducted to prevent the direct contact threat with the contaminated surface soils located in the "old landfill" area, and to reduce the infiltration of precipitation into the holding basin soils. EPA has installed a fence and warning signs around the perimeter of contaminated soils in the "old landfill" area, has capped the "old landfill" area; and, has installed a liner over the holding basin. In June 2003, EPA also negotiated an agreement with five potentially responsible parties including: U.S. Army, U.S. DOE, Whittaker Corporation, MONY LIfe Insurance Co., and Textron, Incorporated, for the performance of a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS), which includes the performance of an Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA). An EE/CA Approval Memorandum was signed on September 27, 2002, which authorizes the performance of an EE/CA in support of a Non-Time Critical Removal Action for the holding basin and buried drum areas. A lien has been recorded on the Starmet property at 2229 Main Street in Concord.
In May 2001, Starmet transported 1700 drums containing depleted uranium from its South Carolina facility to the site, to facilitate its planned sale of that facility. Starmet also has approximately 2000 drums and other containers of depleted uranium wastes and approximately 100 drums of beryllium wastes stored at the site. Starmet is currently in violation of its MADPH radioactive materials license because it has failed to remove the stored drums of depleted uranium materials from the site and is therefore not allowed to process any radioactive material at the facility under their license. After Starmet indicated that it planned to cease operations or file for bankruptcy, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts obtained a preliminary injunction in state court in January 2002, requiring Starmet to continue to provide site security and necessary utilities. On March 15, 2002, the state court placed Starmet into temporary receivership. On or about March 18, 2002, Starmet abandoned the site property. The temporary receiver provided security and necessary utilities, with the assistance of MADPH, until March 25, 2002. Thereafter, MADPH began providing security at the site. Starmet filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 3, 2002, returned to the site, and continues to operate and provide site security. MADPH currently has funding available to provide security and necessary utilities if needed, through the financial assurance mechanism provided under Starmet’s radioactive materials license. If MADPH’s funding is exhausted and no other funding source is available, resulting in abandonment of the facility, then EPA may be required to address the security and utilities issues.
In April 2004, the state reached an agreement with the Army to remove the more than 3000 drums of depleted uranium and other materials from within the facility. The state has procured a contractor for performance of the work, and shipments of drums and other material to the Envirocare waste disposal facility in Clive, Utah began in September 2005. The state removal work was completed in March 2007.
In September 2004, EPA conditionally approved the RI/FS Work Plan submitted by de maximis, the project coordinator for the private PRPs. Field work associated with the remedial investigation began in October 2004 and is currently ongoing.
In January 2008, EPA began a second time-critical removal action to address the lab chemicals and various other flammable/hazardous materials inside the facility buildings. Material removed from the facility will be disposed of off-site. Removal is 90% complete with an expected completion time of fall 2008.
In February 2008, EPA issued an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) to evaluate alternatives to address the contaminated facility buildings. In April 2008, EPA issued a fact sheet seeking public comment on EPA's proposal to demolish the facility buildings on site. The public comment period ended June 12, 2008. After the public comment period, EPA signed an Action Memorandum on September 23, 2008, authorizing the demolition of contaminated buildings at the Nuclear Metals Superfund Site as a Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA). Under this removal action all building contents will be removed, followed by the demolition and disposal of all buildings and debris. Concrete building slabs will remain in-place so as not to disturb potentially-contaminated underlying soil. Sumps and depressions in the slab will be filled and slabs will be entirely overlain with a short-term cap or sealed until a future EPA decision is made regarding the handling of underlying site soils. EPA will soon begin negotiations with the potentially responsible parties for the performance of the demolition and associated cleanup work. The estimated cost for this NTCRA is $63.9 million.
Site Photos
Links to Other Site Information
Newsletters & Press Releases:
Federal Register Notices:
Administrative Records:
Reports and Studies:
Decision Documents:
Other Links:
Site Repositories
Concord Public Library, Concord, MA
EPA New England Records Center, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 918-1440
Contacts
| EPA Remedial Project Manager: | Melissa Taylor |
| Address: | |
| Phone #: | (617) 918-1310 |
| E-Mail Address: | Taylor.MelissaG@EPA.gov |
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| EPA Community Involvement Coordinator: | Paula Ballentine |
| Address: | |
| Phone #: | (617) 918-1027 |
| E-Mail Address: | ballentine.paula@epa.gov |
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| State Agency Contact: | Garry Waldeck, MassDEP |
| Address: | One Winter Street
Boston, MA 02118 |
| Phone #: | (617) 348-4017 |
| E-Mail Address: | garry.waldeck@state.ma.us |
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