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November
2005 Presentation
South Minneapolis Residential Neighborhood Soil Contamination Site
(CMC Heartland Lite Yard)
Arsenic
- Naturally occurring element
- Used in Pesticides
- Used in Treated Lumber (CCA)
- Found in fish and shellfish
Arsenic
- Long Term Exposure to Lower Levels:
- darkening of the skin
- various cancers, e.g. liver, bladder, kidneys,
prostate, lungs, skin cancer
- does not appear that skin contact is likely
to lead to any serious internal effects
What is a Safe Level of Arsenic in Soil?
- Site specific answer
- Depends on a number of factors, e.g type of arsenic, type of soil, land-use, population being exposed, etc.
- Normal levels: approximately 10 parts per million
- To Protect Against Immediate Health Impacts: 95 parts per million
- To Protect Against Impacts from Long-Term Exposure: Not yet determined
How Did the Arsenic Get into the Soil?
- Some is naturally occurring
- Arsenic trioxide blown off the CMC property
- Fertilizer/pesticide application?
- Other sources?
Site History
- 1994 - Contamination was discovered by Minnesota DOT
- 1994 - MnDOT and MDA begin investigations
- 1995 - CMC Heartland Partners complete investigation of plant property.
- April 8, 1999 and May 17, 2001 - ATSDR and MDH issue Health Consultations.
- June 2001, and September 2003 - MDA and MDH performed limited soil
investigations
- January 2004 - MDA request EPA assistance
- August 2005 - CMC Partners completed cleanup of the CMC property.
Superfund Response Programs
- Emergency Response/Removal Actions:
- Short-term actions
- Primary purpose is to stabilize or cleanup sites
that pose an immediate threat
- Examples: removing exposed drum, installing
fences, providing alternate drinking water sources
- Has time and dollar
limits set
- Remedial Response:
- Longer-term, more costly cleanups
- Need to be on National Priorities List
to be eligible for Superfund construction money
- Requires Remedial Investigation,
Feasibility Study, Risk Assessment and public comment before cleanup
can begin
National Priorities List
- EPA's list of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites
- Sites identified for possible long-term remedial action under Superfund.
- A site must be on the NPL to receive money from the Trust Fund for remedial action.
- Investigations and Removals can proceed without listing
EPA's Studies
- Working with MDA
- Over 1000 residential properties sampled (2004 and 2005)
- 13 day cares and 4 schools sampled (2005)
- 60 sample locations spread over mile radius (2005)
Sample Results
- 61 yards with arsenic higher than 95 parts per million (ppm)
- Approximately 230 yards with arsenic greater than background but less than 95 ppm
- No apparent trend in arsenic levels across area.
Removal Action Status
- 54 of 61 lots have been cleaned up
- Remaining 7 will be cleaned next spring
- Crews are shutting down work this week
- Crews will be out in the spring to take care of any remaining landscaping issues.
- If more yards have levels above 95 ppm they will be taken care of by EPA.
More Sampling
- EPA will sample more yards next spring
- EPA is looking at sampling all yards within approximately 3/4 of a mile from the CMC property
- May sample dust inside homes
- Plans will be finalized this winter - timing and scope
- We will come out again to discuss final plan with the public
Over the Winter
- Bringing new contractor on board
- Develop Sampling Plan and other work plans
- Begin the Risk Assessment process
- Communicate with the public throughout the process
What If My Yard Needs Cleanup?
- EPA will contact you to schedule work
- EPA will need a signed access agreement
- EPA will need a plant inventory from you with your estimate of what the plants will cost
- EPA's contractor will videotape property prior to work
When Work is Complete
- EPA will issue a check to owner for cost of plants
- EPA will ask owner to sign a closeout form
If You Have Questions
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