Brown Pond Neighborhood Site Investigation Summary Update Purchase/Ash/Laurel Streets, Danvers, MA
March 7, 2017
Town of DanversCDM Smith Inc.Mass. Dept. of Environmental ProtectionUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyMass. Dept. of Public Health
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Overview of Presentation
Site history/backgroundSite investigation resultsExposure discussionPreventative measures
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Site History/Background
71 PURCHASE STREET – BROWN POND
-1913-1983: Owned by Creese & Cook for fresh water source for tannery operations
-1983-1986: Various owners/ undeveloped
-1986: Gifted to the Town of Danvers
-1986-Present: Owned by Town of Danvers/undeveloped and fenced
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Brown Pond – Initial Investigation July 2011 – EPA collects soil reference samples, including near
Brown Pond, to characterize the geographic area associated with listing Creese & Cook as a Superfund Site; EPA shares data from this sampling effort with MassDEP.
MassDEP reviews this data and finds:
- Arsenic identified above Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) standards in surface soils
- Arsenic was the only contaminant identified at concentrations above applicable standards
June 2014 – MassDEP issues Notice of Responsibility to Town of Danvers for exceedance of MCP standards
June 2015 – Phase I Site Investigation submitted to MassDEP by Town of Danvers
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Brown Pond - Phase I Investigation Arsenic contamination in surface soils:
- Maximum concentration 225 mg/kg (XRF)
[Note XRF: X-ray Fluoroscence (Field Test)]
- Maximum concentration 260 mg/kg (Lab)
Contamination extends to northern and eastern boundaries of Brown Pond
No on-site source of arsenic identified
Possible upstream sources from former tanneries
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55 Ash Street: Winding Brook
• Northern portion: Winding Brook Condominium buildings
• Southern portion:
-1889-1921: Various tanneries – processed animal hides
-1921-Present: Undeveloped – Presently owned by Winding Brook Condo’s and is undeveloped open space
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Other Possible Upstream Sources
H.A. Southwick Morocco/S. Everett Knapp Morocco – Pine Street – Sanborn Maps – 1887 and 1903
Clapp & Tapley Shoe Factory – Pine Street – Sanborn Maps – 1887 and 1903
Hubbard B. Blake Sheep Skin Factory – Pine Street – Sanborn Map 1887
E.A. Mudge & Company Shoe Factory/Royal Ceral Company – Pine Street – 1887 and 1903
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Supplemental Investigations
Investigations are complete on the 71 Purchase Street Brown Pond property, and a Phase II Comprehensive Site Investigation Report will be prepared and submitted to MassDEP.
No investigations have been conducted on the condo property located at 55 Ash Street due to property access issues.
The investigation of the extent of arsenic in surface soils at residential properties surrounding Brown Pond has been initiated. 12
Residential Property Investigation
In November 2016, surface soils at the following residential properties were sampled:
‒ 65, 67, and 69 Purchase Street – Tested for arsenic ‒ 3 and 9
Laurel Street – Tested for arsenic‒ 57 Ash
Street – Tested for arsenic and chromium
Sample collection – hand auger – 0-1 foot – grid size varies from 20’ by 20’ to 40’ by 40’ – Tighter grid sampling in areas of higher contamination.
Samples field screened via XRF, and 25% sent to laboratory for confirmation analysis.
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Exposure Discussion
Contact with soil containing arsenic at elevated levels may pose a risk.
Samples were collected in the most accessible top 1 foot of soil
Potential Exposure Pathways:Skin Contact Incidental Ingestion Inhalation of Dust
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Exposure Discussion
MassDEP has identified levels of concern for arsenic in soil in the MCP
- Chemicals in soil at levels greater than or equal to the following could pose a potential health risk over a 30 year period:
Total Arsenic: 20 mg/kg
- Chemicals in soil at levels greater than or equal to the following could pose a potential health risk over a period of 5 years:
Total Arsenic: 40 mg/kg17
STEPS TO MINIMIZE EXPOSURE
Minimize Skin Contact with Soil and Wash Soil from Skin Whenever Possible.
MassDEP Recommends that this Soil not be Used to Garden Vegetables.
Avoid Tracking Soil from Potentially Contaminated Areas into your Home.
Minimize Activities Likely to Produce High Levels of Dust.
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QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
Contact:Christopher Pyott
MassDEP Northeast Regional Office205B Lowell Street
Wilmington, MA 01887(978) 694-3353
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QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
Contact:Richard Rodgers, Town Engineer
Town of Danvers1 Burroughs StreetDanvers, MA 01923
(978) [email protected]
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For Health-Related Questions or Concerns
Contact:Meg Blanchet
Mass Department of Public HealthBureau of Environmental Health
250 Washington StreetBoston, MA 02108
(617) [email protected] 21
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