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Abex Corporation
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EPA ID:VAD980551683
Location:
Randolph & Green Sts
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Portsmouth County
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Portsmouth County
Congressional District: 3rd
Other Names: none
Last Updated: January 2012
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Contacts
Remedial Project Manager
Fred MacMillan
215-814-3201
macmillan.fred@epa.gov
Community Involvement Coordinator
Vance Evans
800-553-2509
215-814-5526
evans.vance@epa.gov
State and Congressional Liaison
Laura Mohollen
215-814-3295
mohollen.laura@epa.gov
Bulletin Board
Questions
The EPA is dedicated to providing you with timely and accurate information about our work at this site. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Vance Evans 215-814-5526
On This Page
Related Links
Site Status
- The soil cleanup of Operable Unit One (OU-1) that began with the demolition of the former Washington Park Housing Complex is complete.
- Several of the original Washington Park building foundations have been removed by the City of Portsmouth and a new parking area has been built on the formerly contaminated property.
- The second five year review (24 pp, 1.08MB) was completed in early September 2007.
- The EPA has recently completed lead-contaminated soil cleanup in areas outside the former Abex plant.
- EPA is currently reviewing a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) work plan for Operable Unit 2 (OU-2) which includes contaminated soils outside of the OU-1 area plus all other environmental media (groundwater, surface water sediments, ecological risk, etc.) with the Site PRP. EPA expects the remedial Investigation (RI) to begin later this year.
Background
- The site occupies 2 acres in the eastern section of Portsmouth, Virginia.
- From 1928 through 1978, the site had been used as a brass and bronze foundry, where used railroad car journal bearings were melted and recast into new bearings.
- Previous owners had disposed of waste sand from the casting operation, containing various heavy metals including lead, at areas in and around the foundry, with an open area north of the foundry being the primary disposal site.
- Soil contamination was also found in a number of adjacent or nearby properties including the Washington Park housing complex, the Effingham Playground, the Seventh Street row of homes (adjacent to the foundry) and a two square block area southwest of the foundry known as the Effingham Residential area.
- In 1990, the EPA added the site to the National Priorities List of most hazardous waste sites in the country, making the site eligible for federal cleanup.
- Investigation of groundwater contamination discovered at the Site in 2010 will continue as part of the OU-2 Remedial Investigation.
Cleanup History
NPL Listing History
| Status: Final | Added: 1990 |
| Deleted: |
- In 1983, a Preliminary Assessment Report (PA) was conducted by the EPA.
- In August 1986, under a Consent Order by the EPA, a number of early cleanup steps were undertaken by Abex, including excavation of contaminated soil from residential areas surrounding the Abex lot and paving and fencing the foundry area.
- In February 1992, a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) Report found that lead contaminated surface soil exceeding 500 mg/kg within the Effingham residential area and at a few additional locations in Washington Park and the Effingham Playground presented a short term threat.
- In March 1992, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) in March 1992 that required Abex to remove the soil.
- In May 1997, Abex demolished the foundry buildings and the five Seventh Street row homes. During the demolition of the foundry buildings, some residents in Washington Park and some home owners were temporarily relocated.
- In January 1999, Abex began major soil excavation work throughout an area generally within 700 feet of the foundry. Work was completed in March 2000.
- From July 1999 to approximately February 2000, EPA conducted an emergency removal to clean lead contaminated dust from heating ducts and furnaces in each apartment at Washington Park.
- In 2001 a new phase of the cleanup, called Operable Unit Two (OU-2) was begun to determine just how far contamination from the former Abex foundry had spread.
- In 2007 Abex removed the temporary soil storage and treatment pad (SSTP) and the area is being restored.
- The Portsmouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority removed several of the original Washington Park building foundations to make room for a new parking area on the formerly contaminated property.
- A second five-year review for OU-1 was completed in early September 2007 and concluded that the remedy was protective of human health and the environment. Another five-year review is due in 2012.
- In September 2009 EPA declared the construction associated with the OU-1 remedy complete.
Contaminants and Risks
- The surface and subsurface soil on the foundry property and in residential areas is contaminated with lead and various other contaminants.
- Other contaminants include antimony, tin, copper, zinc, cadmium, chromium, silver, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and phosphorus.
- Contaminant descriptions and associated risk factors are available at: (ATSDR web site).
- Blood-lead testing conducted during the 1990's showed no indication that the residents at the site were being impacted by foundry-related lead.
Documents and Reports
- To search an on-line database of all documents and reports on the Atlantic Wood Industries, Inc site, go to EPA’s Administrative Record Database.
- All documents and reports can also be reviewed in person at these locations:
Portsmouth Public Library
601 Court Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704U.S. EPA Region III
1650 Arch Street-6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 814-3157
Call for an appointment.
- Some of the site’s key documents of interest are accessible below.
Record of Decision
- Submit a FOIA Request
Get instructions on how to submit a FOIA request. $Fee$ for requests over 100 pages.
Photos, Maps and Diagrams
Community Information
- This is Superfund: A Community Guide to EPA's Superfund Program (PDF) (12 pp, 1.1MB)
- Tell us how to better engage with your community.
- Site Progress Profile — a quick reference sheet, linking to EPA's Headquarters.
- Federal Register
04/14/2005: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Notice of Lodging of Consent Decree Pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
06/29/1999: EPA Announces Expanded Cleanup at the Washington Park Housing Development
- Fact Sheets
Decemeber 2011 (PDF) (1 p, 103K)
July 1998
May 1997
May 23, 1997: Demolition of Site Foundry Completed; Residents Return Home
May 5, 1997: Temporary Relocation Project Status
January 1997:EPA Approves Work Plans
- Press Releases
06/29/1999: EPA Announces Expanded Cleanup at the Washington Park Housing Development
Reuse Information
- In 2001, the city finished constructing a new fire station in this area.
- The Portsmouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority removed several of the original Washington Park building foundations to make room for a new parking area on the formerly contaminated property.
- Redevelopment plans by the City of Portsmouth resulted in the Portsmouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority purchasing the houses in the Effingham residential area with the residents being permanently relocated.
- Want more information about how to reuse a Superfund site?