Results of Community Environmental St p DA Sampling : \ 0 I w \ In The Collegeville, Harriman Park and Fairmont Neighborhoods, North Birmingham, AL Number 1 Introduction The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the results of environmental sampling con ducted by Walter Coke in the Summer of 2009. EPA's goal is to keep the local community informed and engaged. Purpose Walter Coke (formerly, Sloss Industries) agreed to sample yards, drainage areas and public areas (e.g., schools) in North Birmingham for chemicals of poten- tial concern, namely arsenic (As) and Benzo(a)pyrene toxicity equivalents (BaP TEQ). The purpose was to investigate the presence of these chemicals of potential concern in soil. EPA provided oversight of these sampling activities in the adjacent neighborhoods of the facility. Findings In the Summer of 2009, soil samples were collected at numerous properties. What followed was an in-depth laboratory analysis of the soil samples, a Walter Coke sampling report, rigor- ous EPA review and comments, and EPA risk assessor evaluations. The Birmingham City School District has already been notified of findings associated with the following schools: Riggins Alternative School, former Hudson School, former Carver High School, and the Calloway Head Start school. This Fact Sheet outlines the findings for the residential areas. The results show levels of As and BaP TEQ at or above screening levels of concern at 24 dif- ferent properties. November 2010 An example of a soil sample being taken in a front yard. SOIL Sampling Results AT or ABOVE Screening Levels Arsenic BaP—TEQ 1/70 properties 24/70 properties • Soil screening levels are conservative risk-based values developed by EPA that are health- based. Results above screening levels may present a 1 in 10,000 (1 xlO"4) excess cancer risk over a lifetime. • Based upon the sampling results compared to screening levels, and other factors, EPA will determine whether further investigation or cleanup is warranted. Being above a particular screening level indicates further evaluation may be necessary, but does not necessarily mean that any further action or cleanup is warranted. ------- Next Steps: Short-Term The EPA plans to hold "one-on-one" Infor- mation Sessions with the property owners or renters on November 3-5 to answer questions about their results. Other organizations have been invited to be at the Information Sessions as well, such as: Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) and Walter Coke. Later, we plan to hold public meetings locally to inform the entire community of the findings. Next Steps: Long-Term Long term actions may include: 1) develop an environmental action plan to address the chemicals of potential concern; 2) work with ATSDR on any public health related matters associated with the chemicals of potential concern; and 3) provide opportunities for the public to meaningfully engage in this process. Health Questions The Agency for Toxic Substances and Dis- ease Registry (ATSDR) is our lead federal agency on public health issues. To help an- swer health questions, please contact Mr. Ben Moore with ATSDR at (404) 562-1784, or the ATSDR Hotline at 1 (888) 422-8737. For the public, ATSDR has created Fact Sheets on frequently asked health questions on Arsenic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydro- carbons (PAHs), related to the two chemicals of potential concern for which the soil was tested. These 2 Fact Sheets will be distrib- uted to the community. To view these 2 Fact Sheets produced by ATSDR on the internet, please refer to the following web-site pages: Arsenic http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts2.pdf PAHs http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/ tf. asp?i d= 121 &ti d=2 5 Basis of Investigation The Congressional law, the Resource Conser- vation and Recovery Act (RCRA) authorizes EPA to require facilities to examine the na- ture and extent of their potential pollution that may endanger human health or the envi- ronment. Currently, the lead regulatory pro- gram on this sampling matter is the EPA's RCRA Corrective Action program in the Southeast Region 4 Office in Atlanta. Information Repository Related materials to this sampling event may be viewed at the following location: North Birmingham Regional Branch Library; 2501 31st Ave North Birmingham, AL 35207 (205) 226-4025 Internet Links Be sure to visit http://www.epa.gov/region4/ foiapgs/readingroom/index.htm as documents related to this sampling event become avail- able. For More Information Please contact the following individuals: EPA Community Engagement Brian Holtzclaw, (404) 562-8684 or by e-mail to holtzclaw.brian@epa.gov ATSDR (Federal Health Agency) Ben Moore, (404) 562-1784 or by e-mail to moore.ben@epa. gov Walter Coke, Inc. Communications Michael Monahan, (205) 745-2628 or by e- mail, mmonahan@walterenergy.com ------- |