&EFH HOUSEREMOWL * U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 10 January 1999 This fact sheet is an update on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cleanup activities at the Grant Warehouse on 3368 NE Martin Luther King Blvd. in northeast Portland. Background The Warehouse was used for approximately 20 years to recover precious metals from waste received from other facilities. Large amounts of toxic and reactive chemicals, such as acids, cyanides, ether, and material containing heavy metals were stored in containers ranging from glass vials and jars to 55 gallon drums. There was also a large amount of debris such as carpet, paper, wood, cardboard, fiberglass insulation, and old industrial equipment. Samples from debris and dust in the Warehouse show up to 6,000 parts per million of lead and other heavy metals, such as cadmium and chromium. In November 1998, the City of Portland and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality requested EPA's assistance in the assessment and cleanup of the site. The Cleanup Activities Throughout the past sixweeks of removal activities, EPA contractors have removed and disposed of approximately 270 cubic yards of hazardous waste contaminated debris and 200 cubic yards of solid waste debris. Chemical containers have been gathered, separated and placed in temporary storage areas in the Warehouse. After the chemicals are categorized using field analysis, they will be packed in drums and shipped off-site for treatment and disposal at a hazardous waste treatment facility. Approximately 1500 containers have been categorized with approximately 2000 more to be completed. EPA continues to monitor and sample the air in and around the perimeter of the Warehouse to ensure that residents are not exposed to contaminants from the building. In addition, several air samplers have been placed in nearby locations, including the day care facility. To date, no airborne contaminants have been released from the site during the removal. The monitoring and sampling devices will remain until the cleanup is completed. The road (Ivy Street) immediately in front of the warehouse will remain closed throughout the cleanup. The closure allows for extra room in maneuvering the equipment and provides a safety perimeter around the warehouse. Concerns Expressed by Community In December, EPA representatives met with members of the community. During the meeting, several people expressed concern about the future of the Warehouse and possible soil and groundwater contamination. EPA does plan on addressing all contamination at the facility. Drains in the building have been checked and are hooked up to the City's sewer system and do not appear to have been a pathway to any groundwater contamination. Any soil contamination found in the "courtyard" will be removed and appropriately disposed of off-site. Next Steps EPA will continue removing contaminated debris and categorizing chemical containers forfuture transportation and disposal off-site. This work is expected to continue through February. EPA also plans on taking a limited number of soil samples within the neighborhood to ensure that no contamination occurred from past practices at the Warehouse. ------- For More Information For questions about the activities at the site, please contact one of the following people: Jeff Rodin, On-Scene Coordinator at 206-553-6709 or Krista Rave, Outreach Coordinator at 206-553-6686 or toll-free at 1-800-424-4372 If you have health related questions, please contact Jennifer Chacon at the Multnomah County Health Department, (503) 736-6930. To ensure effective communication with everyone, additional services can be made available to persons with disabilities by contacting EPA toll free at 1-800-424-4372. SEF2V United States EPA Region 10 Environmental Protection Community Relations and Outreach Agency 1200 Sixth Avenue, ECO-C81 Seattle, Washington 98101-1128 SUPERFUND FACT SHEET Grant Warehouse Removal Portland, Oregon ------- |