Fruithurst Community Soil and Water Studies Cleburne County Alabama March 2020

Fruithurst Community
Soil and Water Studies

Cleburne County, Alabama

Fact Sheet 2 | March 2020

Introduction

Following an Auburn University study in 2017, local residents
expressed concerns about cases of childhood illness in the
communities of Fruithurst and Muscadine, Alabama, to the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Alabama
Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).

in response, EPA and ADEM performed several environmental
investigations in the communities for the possible presence of
contaminants. These included sampling at and around a nearby
former rubber manufacturer (the Preferred Compounding Corp, also
known as ProBlend), and re-sampling the same former drinking
water wells that Auburn University researchers tested.

This fact sheet summarizes the results of the investigations. No
contaminants were detected above action levels in any of the
samples collected, and no further investigative actions are planned.

The detailed sampling report is posted online at: www.epa.gov/al

Contaminants Studied

The investigations focused on the following contaminants: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile
organic compounds (SVOCs) and metals in soils, surface water, groundwater and sediment. These included bis(2-
ethylhexyl)phthalate and lead, which were reportedly detected in some of the former drinking water wells tested
as part of the Auburn University study.

Activities Near ProBlend

In April 2018, ADEM conducted an investigation of the former ProBlend facility. Two soil samples were collected
from the facility, and one surface water sample was collected from an unnamed tributary of Muscadine Creek that
receives surface water runoff from the facility. EPA's Removal Management Level (RML) table was used to
determine action levels. All contaminants detected in soils were below action levels. All contaminants detected in
water were below action levels and EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), where established. An MCL is the
legal threshold limit on the amount of a substance that is allowed in public water systems under the Safe Drinking
Water Act. Because no contaminants were detected above EPA RMLs in any of the samples collected (soil and
surface water), ADEM recommended no further action at the time.

&EPA

Direct-push technology used to install
temporary ground water monitoring well.

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Activities Near ProBlend (continued)

In February 2019, the EPA recommended further investigation to
address remaining community concerns about possible soil and
drinking water contamination in the Fruithurst community, in fall
2019, EPA performed soil, groundwater and sediment sampling near
the ProBlend facility. In addition, EPA sampled tapwater and re-
sampled the same former drinking water wells that Auburn
University researchers tested.

EPA, with the support of ADEM, sampled areas near the ProBlend
facility between September 30 and October 4, 2019. A total of 11 soil
samples (six surface and five subsurface, including a duplicate and
two backgrounds), five groundwater samples (including a duplicate
and a background), and three sediment samples (including a
background) were collected (see Figure 1). All detected
concentrations of contaminants in surface and subsurface soil were
below EPA's Regional Screening Levels (RSLs) and/or consistent with
background. No contaminants were detected above EPA MCLs in
any of the groundwater samples. Sediment samples collected from
the unnamed tributary did not contain organic or inorganic
contaminants above background.

Operations at the former ProBlend facility
ceased and property is for sale.

Figure 1: Sample locations near ProBlend
from Fall 2019 study

Legend

Site Location

A Surface and Subsurface Soil

Samples
~ Sediment Samples
^ Surface and Subsurface Soil
and Groundwater Samples
Intermittent Stream

Map Source:

ESRI World Imagery

United States

Environmental Protection Agency
Region 4

FIGURE 1

Sample Locations Near ProBlend
from Fall 2019 Study
TDD Name: Preferred Compounding

Corp (ProBlend)
TDD No.: TT-05-051

City:	County:	State:

Fruithurst Cleburne Alabama

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Water Testing in Fruithurst and Muscadine

During the week of September 30, 2019, the EPA also sampied three tapwater sources (two residences and the
Fruithurst Elementary School) and the eight (former drinking water wells sampled during the Auburn Study (see
Figure 2), There were no exceedances of EPA MCLs or action levels in any sample collected (tapwater or former
drinking water well). The wells sampled during the 2017 Auburn Study and by EPA in fall 2019 are no longer used
for drinking water.

FCDW03
Point 3

FCDW07
Point 7

FCDW05
Point 5

FCDW02
Point 2

Fruithurst
[Elementary

Point 9-

FCDW08

Former |
Problend

fFCDWlz/l,

l^fCBjWfo ,
Point W

FCDW06
Point 6

EPA collected
water samples from J
8 Forme^WeHs^l
3 Taps currently in use

Figure 2: Sample locations in Fruithurst
and Muscadine

FCDW04
Point 4

FIGURE 2

Sample Locations in
Fruithurst and Muscadine

TDD Name: Communities of Fruithurst

and Muscadine
TDD No.: TT-05-051
City:	County:	State:

Fruithurst Celburne Alabama

2,500

5,000
I Feet
' Miles
1

United States

Environmental Protection Agency
Region 4

Legend

o

B

C

Former Drinking Water Well

Municipal Tapwater Sample

Former Drinking Water Well
(well not sampled)

DW - Former drinking water well or tapwater sample
FC - FruiHiurst Community
GW - Groundwater

Map Sources:

fcSKi Clarity Imagery, 2017.
Location of wells obtained from:
Questions and Answers, Fruithurst
and Muscadine ConcerConcers,
January 30,2018 {summary the
University of Auburn Study)

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Conclusion and Next Steps

All detected concentrations of contaminants near the facility and in the communities of Fruithurst and Muscadine
were either below their respective screening or action levels, and/or consistent with background.

Bis-2(ethylhexyl)phthalate was not detected in any of the soil, groundwater, sediment, tapwater or former drinking
water well samples collected during EPA's fall 2019 sampling. Lead was detected at low concentrations in some
groundwater, tapwater and former drinking water well samples; however, the concentrations were neither above
background nor above its action level.

Because no contaminants were detected above action levels in any of the samples collected (soil, groundwater,
sediment, tapwater and former drinking well water), EPA plans no further investigative actions at this time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

EPA Remedial Project Manager

Alayna Famble (404) 562-8444 famble.alavnaffiepa.gov

EPA Community Involvement Coordinator

Kyle Bryant (404) 562-9073 brvant.kvleffiepa.gov

Sampling reports and more information are posted at:

www.epa.gov/al

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