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Fact Sheet
July 2012
Removal Activities to Begin, Former Carter White Lead Superfund Site, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 will oversee removal activities at the Former Carter White Lead Superfund Site. The site is a former lead-based white paint pigment manufacturing facility which occupies a city block in East Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. The site is located in a primarily industrial area, between North 21st Street East and North 22nd Street East, and East Locust Street and Avenue J.
EPA conducted investigations at the site and determined that lead contaminated soil is present. The removal is scheduled to begin during the first part of August 2012, and will continue through late fall.
BACKGROUND
The Former Carter White Lead facility manufactured lead-based white paint pigments at the site from approximately 1881 to 1926, when the company ceased operations. In 1926, Carter White Lead sold the property to Platte Valley Cement Tile Manufacturing Company. The property has since changed hands and the three parcels that comprise the site are owned by MOWECO, Inc., and Rescue Mission, Inc.
PAST INVESTIGATIONS
Widespread lead contamination in the Omaha area led to an EPA investigation in November 2004. EPA screened surface soils at 2706 North 21st Street East and 2802 North 21st Street East, two properties adjacent to the site. There were also several investigations conducted by the responsible party contractors in 2004.
In 2005, EPA conducted a Preliminary Assessment at the site, and a Removal Site Evaluation in 2009. Surface and subsurface soil sampling identified widespread lead contamination on the parcels comprising the site. Soil concentrations ranged from around 100 parts per million (ppm) to around 22,000 ppm total lead. Lead was detected in surface soils at concentrations up to 17,800 ppm. Contamination extends to a depth of 4 to 5 feet.
The site is not fenced or otherwise secured. It is regularly accessed by patrons of immediately surrounding properties operated by local businesses. The site itself is in use by the Carter Lake Outreach Center (thrift store), a Fleet Pride truck service center, and is used for parking. There is routine vehicle traffic across the site.
TIME-CRITICAL REMOVAL ACTION
Lead has been detected in surface soils at concentrations up to 17,800 ppm. Lead levels at the site pose unacceptable human health risks for recreational and residential use under its current and future use conditions.
A Time-Critical Removal will quickly address lead contamination at the site and reduce the threat to human health and the environment. Contaminated soil will be excavated, treated if necessary, and transported off-site for disposal to an authorized state permitted landfill.
Contractors will arrive and start setting up on the site during the early part of August 2012. Removal activities will be conducted during normal business hours throughout the process, and there should be no disruption of daily traffic in the area.
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD
EPA has established an Administrative Record file which contains information about cleanup activities being conducted at the site. The Administrative Record will be available for public review during the second week of August 2012 at the following locations:
Omaha Public Libraries
Charles B. Washington Branch
2868 Ames Avenue
Omaha, NE 68111
Phone: 402-444-4849
EPA Region 7 Records Center
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact:
Belinda Young
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Public Affairs
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Phone: 913-551-7463
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: young.belinda@epa.gov