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| QUENDALL TERMINALS | Renton, WA | |
| King County | 8th Congressional District |
Site Location/Size:
Quendall Terminals is the site of a former creosote manufacturing
operation. The site is located on the southeastern shore of Lake
Washington. It is about 23 acres in size and is relatively flat.
Site History:
The facility began operating in 1917 as the Republic Creosoting Company,
which became Reilly Tar and Chemical Corporation in 1956. Creosote was
manufactured onsite for about 53 years until 1969. This creosote
manufacturing facility refined and processed coal tar and oil-gas tar
residues. The tars were purchased from the Seattle Gas Company on Lake
Union and were shipped or barged to the site. The tars consisted of
polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds, phenolic compounds, light
aromatic compounds (including benzene, toluene, and xylenes) and other
organic compounds. At the facility, tar distillates were refined to
creosote and other chemical products. Releases of tars and creosote
products to the environment occurred in portions of the site where the
transport, production and/or storage of the products were performed. In
1971, the site was sold to Quendall Terminals. Between 1969 and 1978,
the site was used intermittently to store diesel, crude and waste oils.
Since 1977, the site has been used as a log sorting and storage yard.
Site Contamination/Contaminants:
The primary contaminants of concern are carcinogenic PAHs and benzene.
These contaminants are found in the soil and ground water throughout the
site. These compounds are found at concentrations well above State
cleanup levels for residential and industrial sites. At some locations
on the site, creosote product has been found under the surface. In some
areas the product is four to six feet thick. Releases of these
contaminants to Lake Washington are of particular concern.
Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:
Lake Washington is used for a variety of recreational purposes including
fishing. The southern end of Lake Washington, including the area where
the site is located, is considered prime habitat for rearing of juvenile
Chinook, which is a Federal Threatened Species, and other salmon stocks.
The Cedar River, which enters Lake Washington approximately two miles
from the site, supports the largest sockeye run in the contiguous United
States. Lake Washington also supports several sensitive environments
including habitat for bull trout and the bald eagle. In addition, there
are two swimming beaches located within one half mile of the site.
Response Activities (to date):
The Washington Department of Ecology initially was the lead regulatory
agency for overseeing the cleanup, but in May 2005 the Department of
Ecology requested EPA take the lead for overseeing the cleanup at the
site. EPA assumed the role as the lead regulatory agency at that time.
No removal actions have taken place to date.
Quendall Terminals has completed a Remedial Investigation report and a
draft Risk Assessment/Focused Feasibility Study.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices.]
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.