Memphis, TN: United States Fireworks Company
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) investigated whether soil contamination from the former United States Fireworks Company (US Fireworks), in Memphis, TN was present in residential areas. EPA and TDEC performed an environmental investigation in the community for the possible presence of contaminants to include heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
Sampling was conducted at 52 locations within the study area to determine if soil contained contaminants related to historical fireworks manufacturing, including heavy metals like arsenic and lead. Samples were also collected from five properties outside the study area to determine background levels. Sample results were compared to Removal Management Level (RML). RMLs, often referred to as “action levels,” are risk-based levels used by EPA to determine if time-critical removal actions may be needed. A determination that a sample result is higher than a RML by itself does not imply that adverse health effects will occur.
What are Background Levels?
Levels of arsenic and lead that we would expect to find naturally in the environment, or from non-site related human activities. EPA can only legally clean up areas that are above background levels.
What was done & why EPA is involved?
US Fireworks operated a pyrotechnics manufacturing facility on 44 acres from about 1920 to 1941. Today, a lumber company operates on a portion of the property (9.90 acres) and the remainder is occupied by residential single-family lots and apartments.
EPA and TDEC determined that additional soil sampling was needed to build upon information gathered during a 2013 site inspection (SI). An expanded SI was conducted to help provide tenants/homeowners with information about potential soil contamination on their residential properties and assist EPA and TDEC with determining whether additional actions may be needed at the site to protect human health and the environment.
The 2013 SI focused on manufacturing areas identified on the 1927 Sanborn Map. Soil screening using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrument for metals (ex. arsenic, lead, chromium) was conducted on a limited number of residential properties. The number of properties sampled was based on access obtained. Soil screening at four properties indicated levels of certain metals at potentially harmful concentrations.
Soil samples were collected from these four properties sent to XRF screening and sent to a laboratory for analysis. One property contained arsenic at a concentration above the EPA RML of 61 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
TDEC referred the site to the EPA Superfund Removal Program in 2014. EPA collected soil samples at two residential properties, including the property with arsenic at a concentration above the RML and a playground at a church. The samples were analyzed for arsenic. All samples contained arsenic at concentrations below EPA RML. EPA designated the site no further action for removal eligibility under the Superfund Removal Program.
New advancements in residential soil sampling techniques provided homeowners a better representation of potential soil contamination.
What is EPA doing now?
EPA reviewed and evaluated the results in comparing validated results to initial screening levels and known background concentration levels in soil. Additional actions, including further assessment work, is determined based on the evaluation.
Results indicate that the vast majority of reportable concentrations are consistent with known background concentrations for soil in urban and rural areas.
A few properties with elevated levels of arsenic and lead will be evaluated for further assessment. To protect privacy, property locations will not be provided.
About Lead and Arsenic
The metals of interest were lead and arsenic, but other heavy metals may also be of interest. You can find more information about the health effects of lead and arsenic and how to protect your family online at:
Lead – www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts13.pdf
Arsenic – www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts2.pdf
For additional questions contact the Shelby County Health Department, Environmental Health Services at (901) 222-9592 or the Tennessee Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (615) 253-0005.
Documents
- US Fireworks Fact Sheet No. 1 (pdf) (910.98 KB, February 2024)
- View 1927 Sanborn Map of the Study Area
Contacts
For technical questions about sampling contact:
EPA Site Assessment Manager, Shanna Davis
davis.shanna@epa.gov
404-562-8521
For other questions, contact:
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, Brenda Bonner
bonner.brenda@epa.gov
404-562-8348
TDEC Division of Remediation Contact, Shanda Hunt
shanda.hunt@tn.gov
(901) 609-9461