Industrial Waste Processing

Investigation and Cleanup Activities

This site is being addressed in two stages: immediate actions and a long-term remedial phase focusing on cleanup of the entire site.

Initial Actions

Immediate Actions: In 1988, the EPA removed all asbestos found in bags, drums and building insulation, and all lead solder wastes in drums and piles; secured the site from unauthorized access; developed site safety plans; implemented dust suppression actions; monitored for fugitive vapors and dusts; and removed 19,000 gallons of hazardous liquids and 290 cubic yards of contaminated soil.

Site Studies

Entire Site: In 1992, potentially responsible parties, under EPA oversight, began an investigation into the nature and extent of residual soil contamination at the site. The investigation, which was completed in the fall of 1993, identified soil contaminants. An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis Report completed in 1995 evaluated alternatives for the final cleanup. An Action Memorandum for a removal action for the Soils Operable Unit was signed in October 1995. The cleanup, to be performed by potentially responsible parties, will consist of removal of surface soils contaminated with lead and solvents and natural attenuation of solvents in subsurface soils.

Cleanup Ongoing

A Consent Decree was lodged in April 1996, under which four IWP potentially responsible parties (PRPs) agreed to conduct a non-time critical removal action for lead and TCE in soil. The removal action took place during July of 1998. The action consisted of the excavation, disposal, and backfill of the top foot of soil on the site including some soil around the site. The lead cleanup standard for the action is 400mg/kg - parts per million (ppm). The cleanup standard for TCE is 7mg/kg -ppm. Approximately 2,352 tons of material was excavated from the Site. A remedial investigation for the groundwater was completed in May of 1999.

Vapor samples were collected in 2006 in the commercial building located on site. The risks related to vapor exceeded EPA's indoor air industrial screening levels. Vapor intrusion was mitigated by sealing around plumbing fixtures and plugging an open monitoring well inside the building. Follow-up indoor air samples were collected and analyzed in 2009. The results indicated that while indoor air industrial screening levels were not exceeded, residential use screening levels were still exceeded. Results are posted in the Second Five Year Review Report in the Documents and Reports section below. Recommendations for further action include determining whether the residual PCE in indoor air is originating from soil contamination or from ongoing commercial activities. Depending on the outcome of this determination, further remedial actions may be taken, which could include a land use covenant to restrict residential use.