The Site is the location of a large former mill complex originally constructed in the early 1900s and most recently used by the Inter Royal Corporation to manufacture office furniture. Inter Royal shut down operations in 1985 due to bankruptcy, and except for a plastic recycling operation by another party in a portion of the Site in 1991-1992, the Site has been inactive since then. The Site had been without electricity, heat, water, and fire protection since it was abandoned, and the entire mill had fallen into an advanced state of decay.
The Site is located at 20 Reservoir Street in Plainfield, Connecticut and described on page 421 of Deed Book 55. The Site is bounded to the east by Reservoir Street, to the west by railroad tracks, to the south by a warehouse, and to the north by State Route 14A. This removal action is limited to the northern portion of the Site where the remains of the fire-damaged three-story structure are located. The surrounding area is mainly residential with numerous private residences and a play field adjacent to the Site.
On April 26, 2005 a fire destroyed the three-story section of the mill, located on the northern portion of the property. The single-story section of the mill, located on the southern portion of the property, was not affected by the fire.
Adjacent to the Site are at least 20 homes, a nursing home, and several businesses. One public school is 0.2 miles distant, and a second is located 3.5 miles away. The population within one-quarter mile of the facility is 589 and within one mile is 2973.
The contaminants of concern are asbestos and lead. EPA’s sampling efforts documented the presence of friable asbestos in the area of the former boiler room at up to 80% and lead in ash and surface soils up to 6,200 mg/kg.
Friable asbestos in pipe and boiler insulation and lead in ash and surface soils in the area of the fire-damaged, former three-story structure pose a direct contact threat to local residents and those who may enter the Site. Although a perimeter fence is present, the Site has a well-documented history of trespassing and unauthorized access. The fire-damaged ruins may also act as an attractive nuisance, bringing unauthorized individuals in close contact with the hazardous substances present. As the Site is located in the center of the Town, potential receptors could include the entire nearby community.
EPA and the Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor have mobilized to the Site, and established a command post and work zones.
Removal activities began on October 4, 2005 when the ERRS contractor began to remove building debris from foundation area. This debris is being staged pending off-site disposal by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP).
On October 5, 2005 the ERRS contractor began collecting asbestos-contaminated debris from the former boiler room area. This debris is being placed in roll-off containers pending off-site disposal by EPA. The Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor also initiated air monitoring activities on this date.
EPA and the CT DEP are conducting this removal action as a joint, multi-agency cleanup, under a Unified Command structure.
Removal activities will be confined to the northern portion of the Site, where the three-story section of the mill was located, and will include:
1) Collection of asbestos from the vicinity of the former boiler room and other areas as encountered within the debris field produced by the fire;
2) Removal of brick, wood, metal, and other building debris so that work crews can safely access the lead-contaminated ash and surface soils. (transportation and off-site disposal of the building debris waste streams being provided by CT DEP);
3) Excavation of lead-contaminated ash and surface soils.
4) Off-site disposal of asbestos and lead-contaminated ash and soil at EPA-approved facilities;
5) Sampling and air monitoring as needed to support the above activities; and
6) Grading and backfilling as needed to secure the Site.
The asbestos cleanup in the former boiler room area is anticipated to be completed within the next 2 weeks. The removal, staging, and disposal of the building debris will likely continue for the remainder of the construction season, weather permitting.
|
