EPA Region 7 to Host Public Availability Session

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is holding a Public Availability Session to provide information related to the PCE Chestnut Street Superfund Site in Atlantic, Iowa.

The session will be held:

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Atlantic Municipal Utilities
15 W. 3rd Street
Atlantic, IA 50022

EPA will present historical site information, discuss ongoing sampling activities, and provide insight regarding vapor mitigation units installed at the site. The presentation will also include information regarding the contaminant of concern, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and vapor intrusion issues found at several buildings at the site.

BACKGROUND

Based on available data, EPA has determined there is a vapor intrusion plume of PCE at the site. EPA first detected the plume in March 2015.

EPA is conducting a site investigation that includes the collection of soil, groundwater, and soil gas samples to define the extent of the site-related contamination. Site-related contaminants include PCE and its degradation products, primarily trichloroethylene (TCE). EPA is assessing whether PCE and/or TCE vapors have migrated into any additional buildings within the site area. As a result, indoor air and soil vapor samples continue to be collected from inside buildings in the downtown Atlantic area.

ABOUT THE CONTAMINATION

PCE is a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent commonly used as a dry cleaning fluid and spot remover in dry cleaning operations, and as a degreaser in manufacturing plants. The levels of PCE vapors already found in buildings at the site present a health threat due to the inhalation hazards. Therefore, EPA installed vapor mitigation systems in affected buildings.

Additional information regarding PCE is available online. For information regarding vapor intrusion, including vapor mitigation systems, visit EPA’s website.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EPA assessed the ability of the public to access documents for the site through an Internet-based repository and determined that the local community has this ability. Documents for the site are available online for anyone with an Internet connection, and also at the Atlantic Public Library by internet connections. Please visit EPA’s website.

CONTACTS

If you have questions or need additional information about any aspect of the site, please contact:

Pamela Houston
Community Engagement Specialist
Enforcement Coordination Office
EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: houston.pamela@epa.gov

Susan Fisher
On-Scene Coordinator
Response and Removal, North Section
Superfund Division
EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 816-718-4285
Email: fisher.susan@epa.gov

Jeff Pritchard
On-Scene Coordinator
Response and Removal, North Section
Superfund Division
EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Boulevard
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: pritchard.jeffrey@epa.gov