5. From 1945 to 1991 ESCO manufactured, repaired, and refurbished electrical transformers and high-voltage switchgear for electrical distribution. Other manufacturing operations at the site included metal fabrication, welding, grinding, sandblasting, silver electroplating, and painting. Purpose of the Site
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7. 2003 Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
8. 2008 the site was added to the National Priorities List (NPL).History of Main Investigations
9. When complaints were made against ESCO, a testing well was sunk to test for ground water contamination, which always came up negative. After ESCO went bankrupt and abandoned the site, the EPA sunk a 5th test well, which tested positive for PCB ground water contamination. However, levels were so low they decided that no action was necessary at the time because residents received their water from city reservoirs located several miles away. Whydidittakesolong?
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12. Asbestos – is a carcinogenic fibrous silicate mineral.
13. Asbestos is mainly used a fire retardant in buildings.ACM reporting limit for Asbestos is 1%. 30-60% ACM levels were detected on site. Happily and ironically, the Asbestos has been remediated by a recent fire!! Regretfully, More Results & Information
14. Polychlorinated Biphenyl’s (PCB’s) No natural source of PCB’s. PCB’s are mixtures of synthetic and organic chemicals. Used as coolants, lubricants, hydraulic fluid, & dielectric fluid in transformers, pumps, and other electrical equipment. They don’t easily burn and they are good insulators. Other uses include: dust suppression, PVC plasticizer, adhesives, and increasing pesticide formula longevity.
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16. 2nd two numbers, “60” and “54”, indicate the percentage of chlorine, 60% and 54%, respectively.Pyranol is another common PCB in the U.S. but it was not used or found at this site. PolychlorinatedBiphenyl’s(PCB’s), Continued
17. 1979 the U.S. banned PCB manufacturing. PCB’s are very stable, which means they do not easily breakdown in the environment. They bind very well to the soil and thus migrate to other areas via surface water runoff or flooding of a contaminated area. PCB’s accumulate in the fatty tissue of exposed organisms becoming toxic to the organism, and causing an array of health problems. Carcinogenic to humans. (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) PolychlorinatedBiphenyl’s(PCB’s), Continued
18. PCBConcentrationInfo Protective Concentration Level is 7.7mg/Kg. Highest levels of PCB concentration detected at the site was 85,000mg/Kg (URS Corporation 42). Maximum background level is 0.0644mg/Kg. Reference dose screen concentration is 1.6mg/Kg. Cancer risk screen concentration is 0.32mg/Kg. EPA removal action level is 1ppm. 1mg/kg =1ppm Levels detected most test sites were well above 50ppm (up to 85,000ppm). Levels above 50ppm must be disposed of in a specially lined & licensed landfill.
19. Lead was found in the soils along the property line of the site. Paint chips taken from inside the building contained: Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Lead Mercury Silver OtherContaminants FoundonSite
24. According to EPA there is a potential risk of contact and exposure to residents, children, and presumably animals to contaminated soils.(U. S. Environmental Protection Agency)
25. Clean-up activities were planned for early summer 2008 for the site. However, remedial action has been delayed (for the site only) due to: Additional tests scheduled Recent fire at the site (Aug. 6th) Recent local inclement weather conditions Additional funding needed (for site only, not surrounding residential areas) These tests and clean-up activities will commence soon. (Moore) Remedial Plans & Progress
26. Shaw, a site clean-up contractor, has began remedial actions on the contaminated residential areas: excavated several feet of soil at multiple areas. replacing the excavated soil with clean fill dirt will follow once removal is complete. Weston, which is a Superfund Technical Assessment Response Team (START-3), is the contractor responsible for assessments and paperwork. Remedial Plans & Progress, Continued
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28. References: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. "Division of Toxicology ToxFAQs: Polychlorinated Biphenyls." February 2001. 23 September 2008 <http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html>. Cook, Brenda Nixon; EPA Region 6 NPL Coordinator. "Hazard Ranking System (HRS) Documentation Record." March 2008. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 14 September 2008. <http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/docrec/pdoc1777.pdf>. Pages: 58. Moore, Gary. EPA on-site remediation coordinator. Early Morning Fire at Contaminated ESCO Plant. Brad Keller. Greenville Harold Banner. 10 August 2008. URS Corporation. "Phase II Environmental Site Assessment for ESCO Manufacturing Facility, Greenville Texas. Work Order No. 128-0013." 4 November 2004. Pages: 42. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. "NPL Site Narrative for Old ESCO Manufacturing." 3 September 2008. National Priorities List (NPL). 14 September 2008. <http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/nar1777.htm>.