U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Study in Grenada, Mississippi Fact Sheet #9 April 2017 Introduction EPA continues to assess potential impacts to human health and the environment resulting from contamination at and surrounding the Grenada Manufacturing, LLC facility (Facility, commonly known as Grenada Stamping and currently operated by Ice Industries). These investigations are part of a precautionary approach to protect public health and determine whether residents are being exposed to unsafe levels of trichloroethene (TCE) in indoor or outdoor air. Based on results received to date, EPA has determined that there is no immediate threat to public health in the Eastern Heights neighborhood due to TCE, More information about EPA's ongoing work to oversee the cleanup of www.epa.gov/grenadacleanup. Indoor Air Sampling EPA the site is posted online at: EPA again tested the indoor air and sub-slab air inside 17 homes in the south and southeast area of the neighborhood in November 2016. The selected homes are close to the area of groundwater contamination and were previously tested in May 2016. EPA used a canister (called a SUMMA canister) to measure air over a 24-hour period. Consistent with previous results, EPA did not find that chemicals present in the groundwater were entering homes via vapor intrusion. An 8 to 12-foot silty clay layer underlies the neighborhood and appears to be preventing TCE vapors from coming up into the homes. Homeowners and residents of each home that was investigated have been sent an individual letter detailing their results. Outdoor Air EPA monitored the outdoor air throughout the Eastern Heights neighborhood. Four air monitoring stations were set up in the neighborhood (in the north, south, east and west areas), and air samples were collected during 24-hour periods over three days from November 29 to December 1, 2016. TCE was detected in the west air monitoring station near Highway 332 at a low level below the screening level used for indoor air. From left: Grenada City Manager Trey Baker, City Councilor Joshua Hughes and EPA scientist Tim Slagle at an outdoor air monitoring station Chemicals related to gasoline, like benzene, xylenes, toluene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, were detected in the outdoor air in and around Eastern Heights. These chemicals are common in the environment due to vehicle exhaust. ------- Public Health If you are sick and believe you were exposed to chemicals related to the Facility, tell your doctor about your exposure and symptoms. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) have given chemical exposure training materials and information to doctors in Mississippi. The materials explain how you can be exposed to chemicals and how it may affect your health. Doctors can contact Leann Bing at 404-562-1784 or at KBingfficdc.gov. about chemical exposure and possible health effects. Next Steps EPA is working with Grenada Manufacturing, LLC to conduct an outdoor air study at and surrounding the Grenada Stamping facility. This will be conducted during the warmest months of the year in order to possibly locate the source(s) of TCE in outdoor air found during previous studies. More information regarding the outdoor air study will be communicated when final plans are in place. CONTACTS EPA Community Engagement Coordinator Brian Holtzclaw 404-821-0697 (cell) holtzclaw. brianffi epa.gov EPA Outreach Coordinator Keriema Newman 404-562-8859 or 404-304-2490 newman.keriemaffi epa.gov EPA Technical Project Manager Brian Bastek 404-562-8511 bastek. brian (Sepa.gov FOR MORE INFORMATION Website www.epa.gov/grenadacleanup Information Repository Elizabeth Jones Library 1050 Fairfield Avenue Grenada, MS 38902 ------- |