Region 5 Superfund (SF)

U.S. EPA REGION 5
INGHAM COUNTY
LANSING

Congressional District # 08

ADAM'S PLATING

EPA ID# MID006522791
Last Updated: April, 2008

Site Description

The one-acre Adams Plating site is located at 521 Rosemary Street on the west side of Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. The site is located in a mixed commercial and residential block. The population density in the area of the site is approximately 1,800 people per square mile. All local residents and businesses near the site receive their water from the Lansing Township Water System. Located near the center of the site is the Adams Plating Company which is an active electroplating operation. The Adams Plating Company has been in operation since 1964 and has primarily been involved in chrome, nickel, and copper electroplating. Prior to 1980, wastewater from the Adams Plating Facility was discharged to an old clay tile drain system, located next to the building. After 1980, wastewater was pretreated for chromium, tin, copper, nickel, zinc, and cyanide and discharged in the sanitary sewer. In July 1980, the old clay tile drain system was ruptured during construction activities 50 feet south of the building. Later that month, green water began to enter the basement of a house, located about 50 feet to the west of the construction. Analyses of the green basement water indicated the presence of chromium at 130 to 150 parts per million (ppm). In October 1982, a subsurface collection drain was installed immediately north of the house to collect chromium-contaminated seepage from the broken tile drain and ground water and to send it to the pretreatment system. The primary problem at the site was chromium in soils.

Site Responsibility

The site O&M is being implemented by the PRP with oversight by MDEQ.

Threats and Contaminants

The soil is contaminated with tetrachloroethylene, arsenic, and chromium. Inhalation of contaminated subsurface soil particles or accidental ingestion of contaminated soil pose a potential health threat.

Cleanup Progress

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) performed an investigation of the site from August 1988 through September 1993, after determining that the potentially responsible party (PRP) did not have the resources to perform the study. A final cleanup decision was reached in September 1993. The decision called for excavation of soil contaminated with chromium and arsenic from around the buildings at the site and disposal of the contaminated soil in a solid waste landfill.

From September 1993 to September 1994, the U.S. EPA performed the design and construction phases of the project. The U.S. EPA performed the work after determining that the PRP did not have the necessary resources to perform the work. Approximately 5,400 cubic feet of soil was excavated from around buildings at the site. Soils assumed to be contaminated under the buildings were not removed. This is because the contaminated soils under the buildings are effectively isolated from the environment and human contact by the buildings' foundations and are isolated from clean backfill by the vertical barriers. However, if any buildings within the area affected by site-related contamination are abandoned or demolished in the future, options for remediation of contaminated soils under the building(s) will be evaluated by the U.S. EPA during a five-year review. A Preliminary Close Out Report (PCOR) was completed on September 30, 1994, and a Final COR was completed on September 28, 1995. Operation and maintenance of the site is being conducted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and includes semiannual groundwater monitoring. To date, monitoring indicates that the remedial action was successful in achieving its goals.

A five-year review report was completed for the Adams Plating site on October 7, 1999. The five-year review process concluded that the remedy selected in the Record of Decision was implemented, remains functional, operational and effective, and continues to provide adequate protection of human health and environment.

A second five-year review report was completed for the Adams Plating site on June 27, 2005. The five-year review process concluded that the remedy selected in the Record of Decision has been implemented, remains functional, operational and effective, and continues to provide adequate protection of human health and environment.

Contacts

Remedial Project Manager, U.S. EPA
pablo valentin (valentin.pablo@epa.gov)
(312) 353-2886

Community Involvement Coordinator, U.S. EPA
dave novak
(312) 886-7478

Aliases

ADAMS PLATING

 

Site Profile Information

This profile provides you with information on EPA's cleanup progress at this Superfund site.