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Updated on Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Remedial Investigation was scheduled to end on April 17, 2008, but has been extended 30 days for the purpose of conducting additional tests of soil samples. This extension is the result of PINES' concerns that the level of hazardous chemicals that the Remedial Investigation assumes to naturally exist in the Pines Area of Investigation is too high. While everyone would like to see this process finished, we also want it to be finished correctly. The following are notes from the conference call concerning this issue.
Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
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Conference Call Notes February 1, 2008
On Friday morning, February 1st 2008, there was a conference call with EPA Project Manager Tim Drexler, concerning the Yard 520 Remedial Investigation. The conference call included Jan Nona, Mark Huston & Chuck Norris of Geo-Hydro, Certified Health Physicist Larry Jensen, the NW Regional President of the Hoosier Environmental Council Kim Ferraro, and PINES Secretary Larry Silvestri. There were several issues that were discussed concerning the closing stages of the Remedial Investigation.
Larry Jensen explained that he had concerns about the level of radiation that is being accepted as a natural background for the Pines Area of Investigation. Based upon evidence and reasoning, Tim Drexler agreed to a 30-day extension for completion of the Remedial Investigation to perform soil testing from samples that have been already been collected from within the area of investigation. Larry Jensen hypothesized that the Pines Area natural background level may be lower due to sandy soil. Tim agreed with that possibility with respect to the dunal areas. But, due to the dunal and interdunal nature of the Pines, the lower areas could have finer-grained material with higher natural radiation. Larry Jensen also noted that he found data deviations of soil samples for radioisotopes, and noted that uranium 238, uranium 234, and radium 226 seemed to deviate from the detected polonium levels.
We asked Tim about the probable flyash fill at 1600N and the Islamic Center, and if the end of the Remedial Investigation would preclude testing those areas that are outside the Area of Investigation. Tim said that the final Remedial Investigation document would allow for uncertainty and leave open the prospect for further investigation. Tim also said that examination of data might show that there are multiple groundwater plumes, and if they are a risk to human health they will be addressed.
Tim Drexler also answered several other questions.
Q: How can a natural background level for chemicals of potential concern be established if it is based on soil samples taken from areas that are probably contaminated? For example, since arsenic is a contaminant in flyash, wouldn't there be an unnaturally high level of arsenic throughout the entire area of investigation left over from dust blown off delivery trucks and from uncovered piles of flyash? Furthermore, wouldn't that arsenic have leached into the groundwater and flowed throughout the Area of Investigation? While this contamination might not be at a high level everywhere, wouldn't it skew the natural background measurements against which actual contamination would be measured?
A: Tim responded that he was present at all of the background samplings and he is confident that they were conducted correctly and that they were collected far enough away from any possible contamination.
Q: Why does the Remedial Investigation for the East Chicago Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal Confined Disposal Facility use a meteorological factor of 350 days that a person living or working near that disposal facility might be exposed to pollutants, whereas Remedial Investigation for the Pines Area of Investigation uses a meteorological factor of only 250 days that a resident may be exposed? Why such a large difference when the climate is identical?
A: Tim said that he was not involved in the Indiana Harbor Remedial Investigation and couldn't say why they used that number.
Q: Why does the Pines Area of Investigation Remedial Investigation use "Surface Area and Soil to Skin Adherence Factors?" Are there other Remedial Investigations that include this in calculations? The Pines Area of Investigation Remedial Investigation assumes that a child has a smaller surface area and will therefore be less exposed to contamination than an adult. Shouldn't the risk to a child be greater because while they are growing, they absorb more chemicals and minerals than a grown adult?
A: Tim stated that dermal contact is a small factor in absorbing contaminants. Inhalation and ingestion are the main pathways for contaminants into a human body. Tim prefaced his answer by saying that he is not a health professional. For more complete responses regarding dermal contact, Tim recommeded that we call Mark Johnson with ATSDR. His number is 312-353-3436
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Microscopy Photographs of Soil Samples
More on Coal Combustion Waste and Landfills
Documents Prior to Discovery by Residents
Documents from the Remedial Investigation
