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.

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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:

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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
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