FACT SHEET ^1^ Region 7 Chemical Commodities, Inc. Olathe, Kansas August 2000 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 plans to conduct indoor air sampling at six homes near the Chemical Commodities, Inc. (CCI) site, 320 Blake Street, in Olathe, Kansas. In addition, The Boeing Company, one of the potentially responsible parties for the site will initiate a remedial investigation/feasibility study at the site. SITE BACKGROUND The CCI site is a former surplus chemical brokerage facility. A variety of chemicals were spilled or leaked into the environment during the handling, repackaging, recycling and storage of the chemicals at the site. EPA has conducted a series of response actions at the site. These response actions include: • consolidation and off-site disposal of all containerized chemicals; COMMUNITY INFORMATION MEETING: CCI SITE UPDATE EPA invites you to attend a community meeting on the CCI site. Staff members involved with the site will give you a site update, discuss the air sampling activity, the next steps in the process, listen to your concerns and answer your questions The meeting will be held: Thursday, September 7, 2000 7 p.m. Central Elementary School Cafeteria 324 S. Water St. Olathe, Kansas For more information, contact Hattie Thomas, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator 1-800-223-0425 • excavation and off-site disposal of the most highly contaminated surface soils; • consolidation of less contaminated surface soils in a capped stockpile on-site; • grit-blasting of interior surfaces of the warehouse; • surface water drainage control, and • installation of a ground water recovery trench and water treatment system. ------- Following EPA's response actions, Rocketdyne (now The Boeing Company) performed a site characterization study. During the site characterization, soil and ground water samples were collected and analyzed. Results of the site characterization indicated elevated levels of various groups of chemicals in site soils and ground water. Ground water contamination consisting primarily of solvents that evaporate easily into the air, was detected beyond the CCI property line. NEXT STEPS Indoor Air Sampling The purpose of the sampling is to determine whether ground water contamination in the area is impacting air quality in homes near the facility. Sampling activities are being planned for mid to late September 2000. The air sampling will involve setting up an automated air sampler in the living space of selected homes. The air samplers will collect samples at pre-set intervals over a 9 day period. An EPA representative will set up the equipment and will answer any questions from the resident. During the 9 day sampling period, an EPA representative may call the resident or schedule a short visit to make sure the equipment is working properly. Following the sampling period, an EPA representative will return to remove the equipment. The air sampler consists of a self-contained stainless steel unit. The dimensions of the unit are approximately 12 inches wide by 12 inches long by 6 inches deep. The sampler will make a low humming sound during sample collection. EPA will share the sampling results with the federal health agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The ATSDR will review the results and provide recommendations to EPA for follow up actions as necessary. Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study The purpose of the RI/FS is to supplement information collected by Boeing during the site characterization study. The RI/FS will also help define the extent of the ground water contamination and develop long term cleanup alternatives for the site. RI/FS activities will include ground water, surface water, and soil sampling, installation of up to seven new monitoring wells, and pilot tests to determine the applicability of various cleanup technologies. On site activities are scheduled to begin in November 2000 and are expected to be completed in March 2001. Information gathered during the RI/FS will be compiled and presented in an RI/FS document which will be made available for public review. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The EPA encourages community participation during the Superfund process. Congress established the Superfund Program in 1980 to clean up hazardous waste sites. The Superfund Program cleans up these sites to protect people and the environment and return the land to productive use. More information on the site can be found in the Administrative Record File. This file contains relevant site documents and is available for public review at the following locations, during normal business hours: ------- Olathe Public Library EPA Region 7 Docket Room 901 N. 5th Street Kansas City, Kansas 201 E. Park Olathe, Kansas If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact: Hattie Thomas Community Involvement Coordinator EPA Region 7 Office of External Programs 901 N. 5th Street Kansas City, Kansas 66101 (913)551-7003 Toll-free 1-800-223-0425 ### ------- |