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March 13, 2001 For additional information, contact Franchon Beeks, DNREC Site Investigation and Restoration Branch, 302-395-2600; Dr. Gerald Llewellyn, Division of Public Health, 302-739-6619; or Maria Taylor, DNREC Information and Education, 302-739-4506. DNREC Begins Soil Testing for Arsenic Contamination Associated with Historic Tannery Site near Compton Townhouse Apartments in WilmingtonSecond Public Meeting to be held March 15 at 6-8p.m.The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control 's Site Investigation and Restoration Branch (DNREC-SIRB) has initiated soil sampling and testing this week to determine the extent of the arsenic contamination associated with a historic tannery site formerly located at 9th and Walnut Streets in Wilmington. The soil sampling and investigation activities are being performed on private residential properties and at the Ezion Mount Carmel United Methodist Church. The arsenic contamination was first discovered last month in the shallow and deep soils on a portion of the Compton Townhouse Apartments complex, a residential community located near 9th and Walnut Streets. The contamination was identified during the completion of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment at the Compton property, which is owned by Leon Weiner and Associates, Inc. The assessment was performed by WIK Associates, Inc. for Mr. Weiner, who notified the Department of the contamination. WIK Associates has since conducted additional testing of the soils at the rental complex. DNREC's contractor, Tetra Tech, Inc., is conducting the soil testing on the privately owned lots and the church property. All of the testing is being performed under the supervision of DNREC-SIRB. Results from this recent soil testing will be available in 6-8 weeks. DNREC and the Division of Public Health will hold a second public meeting to discuss the contamination, health risks, ongoing investigation and planned remediation with concerned residents and neighbors in the community on Wednesday, March 15, 2001 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ezion Mount Carmel United Methodist Church located at 800 North Walnut Street in Wilmington. Though the risk at the site does not constitute an emergency, the levels of arsenic discovered at Compton are slightly above Delaware's acceptable levels for inadvertent ingestion of surface soils, and one location outside the Compton area may pose additional risk with long-term exposure. As a protective measure, residents of the community have been advised not to allow children to play in yard areas where bare soil is exposed, and not to perform any digging or other soil disturbing activities until a soil remedy is in place. Arsenic is commonly found in food in trace amounts. However, a certain type, inorganic arsenic, is considered to be a known human carcinogen (Group A), and the Division of Public Health supports a very cautious approach to inadvertent soil ingestion, especially by children. The arsenic contamination appears to be associated with a tannery site that formerly operated at the site at the turn of the century through the 1950s. Other contamination identified at the site includes polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the shallow soils; and PAHs, cadmium, mercury and lead in the subsurface soils (2.6 to 5.5 feet below grade). The subsurface contamination does not pose a risk provided the soils remain undisturbed. DNREC officials will continue to investigate the area and evaluate risks associated with the discovered contamination. An Interim Response Action and soil remedy is planned for the area. -30- |
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