[CPEO-BIF] Lane Metals, Oakland, California vapor sampling

[Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>]

[I can't tell from the press release whether the referenced standard is 
truly the "emergency level," or the "short-term" screening level, but 
it's like that 1/100 of the threshold is a serious chronic risk. - LS]

News Release
U.S. EPA Region 9
July 29, 3008

U.S. EPA Releases Lane Metals Sampling Results

Indoor air sampling results from residences, day-care, business

(San Francisco, Calif. -- 07/29/08) The U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency today provided sampling results to residents and business owners 
whose indoor air was tested Friday for possible volatile organic 
compounds that might have migrated from underneath a nearby plating shop 
at 30th Street and San Pablo Avenue in Oakland, Calif.

"The EPA came out to the site to find out if there was any need for an 
emergency or urgent removal action -- and we're relieved on behalf of 
the residents that this isn't the case," said Bret Moxley, the EPA's 
on-scene coordinator overseeing the air sampling. "At this point, DTSC 
will continue with its long-term cleanup at the site."

On Friday, the EPA placed sampling canisters in homes, a business and a 
day care center located near the former Lane Metal Finishers site after 
the Department of Toxic Substances Control found high levels of VOCs in 
five samples taken at eight feet below the surface. The EPA tested for 
four chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-dichloroethene, 
trans dichloroethene and vinyl chloride over a 24-hour period.

None of the chemicals were found at levels that require an emergency 
action. No chemicals were detected in the daycare. Only one chemical-- 
TCE-- was found in four residences, but was found at levels 100 times 
lower than what triggers an emergency action. Low levels of TCE and 
vinyl chloride were found at the adjacent autobody shop. The state's 
long-term cleanup plan will address these levels.

Earlier this month, DTSC found very high levels of VOCs in the soil 
vapor under the former plating site, and contacted the EPA for 
assistance. Soil vapor is in the spaces between the grains of sand or 
soil underground, and can move through soil, but does not move as easily 
through clay and silt. This site has several clay layers in the soil 
which may have reduced the migration of the soil vapors.

The EPA took air samples to ensure that vapors were not coming up 
through cracks in foundations and accumulating inside. If indoor VOC 
levels are high enough, they can create a health hazard for residents, 
especially children and pregnant women.

Soil, soil vapor and groundwater contamination at the Lane Metals 
facility is most likely the result of solvents used as degreasers during 
plating operations on the site dating back to the 1950s. The solvents 
are not uncommon at plating shop sites. DTSC has been overseeing the 
investigation of the site since June 2007.

###



...

For the original press release, see
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/a1e9a54519120eb88525749500733200?OpenDocument

--


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org


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