SITE ASSESSMENT REPORT
FOR THE
ALTGELD GARDENS COMMUNITY
1-94 and 130th Street
CHICAGO, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
August 6,1997
Prepared by:
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Emergency Response Branch
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604
Prepared by: t>**^ 3/U^Xr^ ~ Date:
Charles Gebien, On-Scene Coordinator
Reviewed by: l^^^^t Date:
Donald Bruce, Chief ER Section 2
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Table of Contents
Section Eage
1 Introduction 1-1
2 Background 2-1
2.1 Site Description 2-1
2.2 Site History 2-2
3 Site Assessment 3-1
4 Analytical Results 4-1
5 Discussion of Potential Threats 5-1
6 Removal Activities 6-1
Appendix P_ag£
A Aerial Photographic Analysis A-l
B U.S. EPA CRL Analytical Reports B-l
C Photo Documentation C-l
List of Figures
Figure Eggs
2-1 Site Location Map 2-3
2-2 Site Features Map 2-4
List of Tables
Table EigS
3-1 Standing Water Sample Description 3-1
3-2 Surface Soil Sample Description 3-2
3-3 Sub-Surface Soil Sample Description 3-3
3-4 Block 11 Follow -up Surface Soil Sample Description 3-4
4-1 Summarized PAH Data for Standing Water Samples '. 4-1
4-2 Summarized PAH Data for Surface Soil Samples 4-2
4-3 Summarized PAH Data for Sub-Surface Soil Samples 4-3
4-4 Summarized PAH Data for Block 11 Follow Up surface Soil Samples & X103\SS20 .... 4-4
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1. Introduction
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Southeast Chicago Site
Assessment Team (SAT) requested the Superfund Division Emergency Response Branch (ERB) and the
Superfund Division Technical Support Section (TSS) to assess the possible presence of soil
contamination at the Altgeld Gardens Community (AGC) located in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.
On-Scene Coordinator Charles Gebien and Keith Lesniak of U.S. EPA ERB were tasked to
perform the site assessment and to determine if conditions are present at the AGC which present an
imminent and substantial threat to public health and welfare and the environment. The Chicago
Housing Authority (CHA) was advised of proposed assessment work and participated in sampling
activities.
1-1
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2. Background
2.1 Site Description
The Altgeld Gardens community (AGC) is a lew-income housing development that is managed
by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA). The AGC is located near Interstate 94 and 130th Street,
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (Figure 2-1). The AGC is bounded on the north by 130th Street, on
the south by the Little Calumet River, on the east by the Beaubien Woods, and on the west by St.
Lawrence Avenue (Figure 2-2). Approximately 10,000 residents live in the AGC.
2.2 Site History
The AGC was constructed in approximately 1941, atop an agricultural area. Residents of the
AGC have indicated that canals from the Pullman Sewage Farm carried sewage wastes from industrial
areas north of the AGC, through the AGC, and southward to the little Calumet River, until the 1950s.
Many residents complain that health problems including skin rashes and asthma are prevalent in the
AGC. Two soil samples collected from the AGC as part of a 1990 U.S. EPA Site Screening Inspection
(SSI) and 1994 Expanded Site Inspection (ESI) for the Pullman Sewage Farm identified elevated levels
of PAHs, pesticides, and heavy metals in surface soil (Refer to Table 4-4). The Illinois Department of
Public Health (IDPH) has recommended that additional soil testing is justified at the AGC, particularly
in areas where children play. The contaminants of concern are pthalates, PCBs, PAHs, heavy metals,
pesticides, and VOCs.
On July 18, 1996, OSC Gebien, U.S. EPA ERB, completed a Sampling QA/QC Work Plan
(SWP) for sampling activities planned at the AGC. The sample locations that are included in the SWP
were chosen by interviews with AGC leaders and are based on complaints of contamination in each of
the locations. In August 1996, the U.S. EPA Characterization Research Division completed an aerial
photographic analysis of the Pullman Sewage Farm and the AGC area. In November 1996, an
addendum was added to further interpret historical drainage ways which appear in 1938 aerial photos of
the AGC (Refer to Appendix A for the Aerial Photographic Analysis of Altgeld Gardens). The 1938
aerial photo shows the AGC property in cultivation prior to construction of housing units and depicts
possible drainage ways.
2-1
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ALTGELD GARDENS
Source: USGS 7 5> Topographic Maps
Lake Calumet (1991) and
Blue Island (1973) Quadrangle
Scale:
1/2 mile
Figure 2-1
Site Location Map
ALTGELD GARDENS
Chicago, Illinois
FRE00109
7.12.94
2-2
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Altgeld
Gardens
Sampling
Locations
Legend
Residential Buildings
W Overhead Llgnting
Public Buildings
Pavemenl
JL. Surface Sampling
Loccrrlons
g Subsurface Sampling
Locations
A Standing Water -
Sampling Locations
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3. Site Assessment
On July 18, 1996 OSC Charles Gebien and Keith Lesniak visited the AGC area, after a major
storm event to observe and photo document possible flooding conditions. On July 22, 1996, OSC
Gebien and Lesniak met at AGC with Mr. Fred Chang, P.E., Environmental Unit, CHA, to collect
water samples from areas of chronic standing water within the AGC. Standing water samples were
collected from seven locations (Figure 2-2) were collected from the following locations; Block IS
(SOI), Block 12 (SOS), Block 16 (SO6), Block 17 (SOT), Block 3 (SO2), Block 4 (SOS), Carver High
School (SO9). Refer to Table 3-1 for further sample location and description information and to
Appendix C for photographs taken during the flooding observation and water sampling activities.
Sampling was conducted in level D protection. The samples were delivered to the U.S. EPA Central
Regional Laboratory (CRL), Chicago, Illinois. The water samples were analyzed for ABN,
pesticides/polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic analytes (VOAs), metals, mercury, and
cyanide.
On August 21, 1996 OSC Charles Gebien and Keith Lesniak returned to the AGC area, and
met with Mr. Fred Chang, P.E., Environmental Unit, CHA, to collect soil samples from areas within
the AGC which are suspected areas of contamination. Soil samples were collected from the surface of
the ground at ten locations (Figure 2-2). Samples were collected from the following locations; Block 16
(SIT), Block IT (S18), Block 3 (S13), Block 4 (S14), Carver Primary School Courtyard on Corliss St
(S21), Block 15 (S12), Block 12 (S16), Carver High School (S20), Block 11 (SIS) and WIC Clinic
(S19). Refer to Table 3-2 for additional sample description and location information and to Appendix
C for photographs taken during the soil sampling activities. Sampling was conducted in level D
protection. The samples were delivered to the U.S. EPA Central Regional Laboratory (CRL),
Chicago, Illinois. The soil samples were analyzed for ABN, pesticides/PCBs, VOAs, metals, mercury,
and cyanide. \
On November 11, 1996, OSC Charles Gebien and Keith Lesniak returned to the AGC area,
and met with Steve Peterson, Alan Gebien, and Tom Sedlacek. Mr. Fred Chang, CHA, waanot
present due to other obligations. The purpose of the visit was to investigate subsurface soils in
historical drainage areas within the AGC, which were identified through aerial photographic analysis as
potential routes of contamination from the former Pullman Sewage Farm. Four former drainage ways
were chosen for Geoprobe sampling, and one Geoprobe boring was performed in each drainage way.
Subsurface soil samples were collected from the four Geoprobe boring locations as shown in Figure 2-
3-1
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2. Samples were collected as follows; Geoprobe 12'-4' (SOI), 4'-6'(S02), Geoprobe H 2'-4' (SOS), 4'-
6' (S04), 6'-8' (Sll), Geoprobe ffl 2'-4' (SOS), 4'-6' (S06), Geoprobe IV 2'A' (S07), 4'-6' (S08) and
6'-8' (S09). Refer to Table 3-3 for further sample description and location information. Photographs
were not taken during the Geoprobe soil sampling activities. Sampling was conducted in level D
protection. The samples were delivered to the U.S. EPA Central Regional Laboratory (CRL),
Chicago, Illinois. The soil samples were analyzed for ABN, pesticides/PCBs, VOAs, metals, mercury,
and cyanide.
On March 25,1997, OSC Charles Gebien and Keith Lesniak returned to the AGC area, and
met with Mr. Fred Chang, CHA. The purpose of the visit was to collect additional surface soil
samples in Block 11, because elevated levels of PAHs were identified from our earlier surface soil
sample in that block. Four samples were collected from a courtyard lawn area as follows: front of Unit
13055 (SOI), front of Unit 1128 (S02), front of Unit 1114 (S03), and front of Unit 13073 (S04). Refer
to Table 3-4 for further sample description and location information.
3-1
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Table 3-1
Standing Water (Collected 7/22/96)
Sample Description
Sample
No.
SOI
S02
803
SOS
S06
S07
S09
Appearance
Clear Water
Clear water
Cloudy water
Clear water with
mosquito larvae
Clear water with
mosquito larvae
Clear water with
mosquito larvae
Clear water with
mosquito larvae
Location
Sample from lawn area near unit 1078 in Block 15.
Photos 1-5
Sample from grassy area near unit 13034 in Block 3.
Photos 18-20.
Sample from hose that was pumping flood water from
basement o£unit 13 144 in Block 4. Photos 15-17.
Sample from lawn area in front of unit 1 153 in Block
12, Photos 6-8.
Sample collected from lawn sidewalk area in front of
units 706 and 708 in Block 16. Photos 9-11.
Sample from base of playground slide in back of unit
13221 in Block 17. Photos 12-14.
Sample from grassy ditch west of Carver High School
in Beaubien Woods. Photos 21-24.
3-2
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Table 3-2
Surface Soils (Collected 8/21/96)
Sample Description (0-3 inches depth)
Sample No. | Appearance | Location
S12
S13
S14
S15
S16
S17
S18
S19
S20
S21
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Soil
Sample collected from grassy area in courtyard near unit 1076
in Block 15. Photos 7-8.
Sample collected from grassy area in front of unit 13042 in
Block 3. Photo 4.
Sample from grassy area in courtyard near unit 13 124 in Block
4. Photo 5.
Sample from grassy area near unit 1 130 in Block 1 1 . Photo 1 1 .
Sample collected fiom grassy area near unit 1 149 in Block 12.
Photo 9.
Sample from grassy area near units 706 and 708 in Block 16.
Photos 1 and 2.
Sample from grassy area, near lamp post, adjacent to slide, in
playground area in Block 17. Photo 3.
Sample from grassy area in front of WIC Clinic. Photo 12.
Sample from grassy ditch west of Carver High School in
Beaubien Woods between R.R. tracks and entrance road. Photo
10.
Sample from grassy area in Carver Primary School courtyard
approx. SO ft. North of play area equipment for school.
3-3
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Table 3-3
Sub-Surface Soils (Collected 11/12/96)
Sample Description
Sample No.
Geoprobe I
SOI
Geoprobe I
S02
Geoprobe II
S03
Geoprobe II
S04
Geoprobe II
Sll
Geoprobe III
805
Geoprobe III
S06
Geoprobe IV
S07
Geoprobe IV
SOS
Geoprobe IV
S09
Depth | Appearance
(feet) I
2' to 4'
4' to 6'
21 to 4'
4' to 6'
6' to V
2' to 4'
4' to 6'
2' to 4'
4' to 6'
6' to 8'
Light brown clay
soil
Light brown clay
soil
Mottled clay
with yellow
specks
Mottled clay
with sand
Wet brown clay
Brown clay soil
with pieces of
brick
Brown clay soil
with pieces of
brick
Brown clay soil
Brown clay soil
Brown clay soil
Location
Sample from grassy area east of Corliss St.
in Block 7.
Sample from grassy area east of Corliss St.
in Block 7.
Sample from field east of 133rd St.
immediately east of Block 12.
Sample from field east of 133rd St.
immediately east of Block 12.
Sample from field east of 133rd St.
immediately east of Block 12.
Sample from grassy playground area 30 ft.
southwest of rocket ship west of Block 3.
Sample from grassy playground area 30 ft.
southwest of rocket ship west of Block 3.
Sample from grassy area midway between
light post and large willow tree in Block 3.
Sample from grassy area midway between
light post and large willow tree in Block 3.
.Sample from grassy area midway between
light post and large willow tree in Block 3.
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Table 3-4
Block 11 Follow up Surface Soils (Collected 3/25/97)
Sample Description (0-3 inches depth)
Sample No.
SOI
S02
803
S04
Appearance
SoU
Soil
SoU
SoU
Location
Sample collected from grassy area in courtyard near unit
13055 in Block 11.
Sample collected from grassy area in courtyard near unit
1128 in Block 11.
Sample from grassy area in courtyard near unit 1 1 14 in
Block 11.
Sample from grassy area in courtyard near unit 13073 in
Block 11.
3-5
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4. Analytical Results
The water samples, surface soil samples, and sub-surface samples were analyzed for ABN,
pesticides/polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), volatile organic analytes (VOAs), metals, mercury, and
cyanide. All samples were analyzed at the U.S. EPA Central Regional Laboratory (CRL), Chicago,
Illinois.
Analytical results indicate that slightly elevated levels of PAH compounds may be present in the
surface soils within the AGC area. PAH data is summarized for standing water, surface soils, and sub-
surface soils in tables 4-1,4-2, and 4-3. Refer to Appendix B for CRL analytical reports and
corresponding QA/QC reviews.
4-1
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Table 4-1
Summarized PAH Data for Standing Water Samples
All concentrations in ppb
Compound
di-n-Butylphthalate
Carbazole
Fluoranthene
Anthracene
Pyrene
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Chrysene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(b)flouranthene
Benzo(k)flouranthene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Indeno( 1 ,2,3-cd)pyrene
Sample Designation
SOI
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
2J
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
S02
1 J
5U
5U
5U
5U
2J
5U
5U
5U
' 5U
5U
5U
S03
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
4J
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
SOS
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
2J
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
S06
3J
5U
5U
5U
5U
1 J
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
S07
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
2J
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
S09
5U.
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
R01
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
4J
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
5U
J
U
B
Source:
= Estimated Value.
- Not detected.
= Contaminant found in laboratory method blank.
U.S. EPA Central Regional Laboratory, Chicago, Illinois.
4-2
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Table 4-2 ^
Summarized PAH Data for Surface Soil Samples
All concentrations in ppb
Compound
di-n-Butylphthalate
Carbazole
Fluoranthene
Anthracene
Pyrene
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Chiysene
Ben?o(a)anthracene
Benzo(b)flouranthene
Benzo(k)flouranthene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Indeno( 1 ,2,3-cd)pyrene
Sample Designation
S12
3800
990 U
250 J
990U
210J
6900 BJ
990 U
990 U
270 J
990 U
190 J
180 J
D12
2000
1000 U
280 J
1000 U
250 J
6600 BJ
1000 U
1000 U
330 J
1000 U
220 J
230 J
S13
1800
1000 U
450 J
1000 U
370 J
12000 BJ
300 J
1000 U
380 J
1000 U
300 J
290 J
S14
12000
1000 U
630 J
1000 U
530 J
2100 BJ
410 J
360 J
540 J
230 J
380 J
380 J
S15
6300
370 J
4800
630 J
4000
1600 BJ
2700
2500
3400
1000 J
2500
2000
S16
4400
1100U
600 J
1100U
520 J
7900 BJ
370 J
400 J
530 J
230 J
410 J
390 J
S17
2300
1100U
580 J
1100U
450 J
6500 BJ
380 J
380 J
540 J
230 J
400 J
390 J
S18
3100
930 U
930 U
930 U
930 U
4900 BJ
930 U
930 U
930 U
' 930 U
930 U
930 U
S19
6800
940 U
850 J
200 J
870 J
9800 BJ
380 J
480 J
370 J
160 J
370 J
270 J
S20
4900
990 U
990 U
990 U
990 U
4900 BJ
990 U
990U
990U
990U
990 U
990 U
S21
3000
970 U
530 J
970 U
460 J
T600BJ
350 J
330 J
460 J
180 J
370 J
340 J
J = Estimated value.
U = Not detected.
B = Contaminant found in laboratory method blank.
Source:
U.S. EPA Central Regional Laboratory, Chicago, Illinois.
4-3
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Table 4-3
Summarized PAH Data for Sub-Surface Soil Samples
All concentrations in ppb
Compound
di-n-Butylphthalate
Carbazole
Fluoranthene
Anthracene
Pyrene
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Chrysene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(b)flouranthene
Benzo(k)flouranthene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Indeno( 1 ,2,3-cd)pyrene
Sample Designation
SOI
7600 B
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1700 B
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
S02
10000 B
1300 U
1300 U
1300 U
1300 U
2200 B
1300 U
1300 U
1300 U
1300 U
1300 U
1300 U
S03
8800 B
1500 U
1500 U
1500 U
1500 U
1600 B
1500 U
1500 U
1500 U
1500 U
1500 U
1500 U
S04
5600 B
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100B
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
805
8200 B
970 U
970 U
970 U
970 U
140 JB
970 U
970 U
970 U
970 U
970 U
970 U
S06
7600 B
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
760 JB
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
S07
7300 B
100OU
1000 U
1000 U
1000 U
710JB
1000 U
1000 U
1000U
1000 U
1000 U
1000 U
SOS
15000BD
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
1200U
1300 B
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
S09
14000 BD
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
830 JB
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
1200 U
Sll
8100 B
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1500 B
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
1100U
J
U
B
Source:
= Estimated value.
= Not detected.
= Contaminant found in laboratory method blank.
U.S. EPA Central Regional Laboratory, Chicago, Illinois.
4-4
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Table 4-4
Summary PAH Data for Block 11 Follow Up Surface Soil Samples and X103/SS20 Historical PAH Data
All concentrations in ppb
Compound
di-n-Butylphthalate
Carbazole
Fluoranthene
Anthracene
Pyrene
Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Chrysene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(b)flouranthene
Benzo(k)flouranthene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Indeno( 1 ,2,3-cd)pyrene
Sample Designation
SOI
2100 J
2500 U
1600 J
1010 J
1100J
1500 J
550 J
990 J
970 J
S02
2300 J
2400 U
2300 J
1300 J
1300 J
1600 J
520 J
1200 J
1080 J
S03
1800 J
2400 U
1700 J
1100J
1100J
1600 J
390 J
980 J
870 J
S04
1400 J
2200 U
1400 J
740 J
920 J
1040 J
380 J
740 J
620 J
X103
(May 1990)
1800.00
1600.00
480.00 1
720.00 J
1000.00
830.00 J
5 10.00 J
670.00 J
440.00 J
SS20
(Nov. 1994)
1300 J
2400 J
23,000
3500 J
22,000
12,000
9700
7900
11,000
9000
4600
J
U
B
Source:
= Estimated value.
= Not detected.
= Contaminant found in laboratory method blank.
U.S. EPA Central Regional Laboratory, Chicago, Illinois.
4-5
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5. Discussion of Potential Threats
Analyses of surface soils, sub-surface soils ami standing water within the AGC indicate that
although elevated levels of PAHs were identified in surface soils within block 11, the levels do um
exceed the recommended removal action level (RAL) for total PAHs (500-1000 PPM total PAHs)
established in the "Emergency Removal Guidelines". Information from this report is being reviewed
by U.S. EPA for a health based risk assessment.
There are no conditions present in the areas assessed at the AGC that may present an
imminent and substantial threat to public health and welfare and the environment, based on
considerations set forth in paragraph (b) (2) of Section 300.415 (b) (2) of the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP).
5-1
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6. Removal Activities
There were no conditions observed at the AGC during the site assessment which warrant a
removal action.
6-1
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Appendix A
Aerial Photographic Analysis Altgeld Gardens
A-l
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Appendix B
Analytical Reports Altgeld Gardens
B-l
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