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Fact Sheet
December 2010
EPA's Soil and Groundwater Sampling Activities Around Buildings 50 and 52, Bannister Federal Complex, 1500 E. Bannister Road, Kansas City, Mo.
INTRODUCTION
Beginning December 6, 2010, EPA Region 7 will conduct additional soil and groundwater sampling at and around Buildings 50 and 52 at the Bannister Federal Complex. The purpose of the sampling is to locate source(s) of volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination in soil and groundwater identified from previous soil gas and groundwater sampling completed in June and July 2010 and to assess the presence, if any, of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC), total metals, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs).
PREVIOUS SAMPLING ACTIVITIES
In the first phase of sampling conducted June 22-24, 2010, EPA and an EPA contractor collected preliminary soil gas and groundwater samples around Buildings 50 and 52 of the Bannister Federal Complex in Kansas City, Missouri.
Sampling was conducted July 6, 2010 to assess soil gas and groundwater contamination around the two buildings that may originate from a subsurface source (e.g., contaminated soil or groundwater) and could migrate into the buildings via vapor intrusion, presenting a potential threat to health of the occupants. Previous EPA indoor air sampling did not indicate a threat to human health within the building but subslab vapor testing did indicate pollutants underneath the buildings.
Soil gas samples were analyzed for VOCs, SVOCs, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Groundwater samples were analyzed for VOCs, total metals, and PCBs.
The 14 groundwater samples collected during the initial investigation phase from the monitoring wells around Buildings 50 and 52 indicated VOC and metal contamination.
Thirty of the 37 soil gas samples collected from locations on the east and west of Building 50 showed the presence of VOCs, SVOCs, and PAHs in the soil gas, prompting additional sampling.
PHASE II SAMPLING ACTIVITIES
The additional EPA sampling scheduled to begin on December 6 may take up to two weeks to complete. Minor disruption to the parking areas on the east and west of Building 50 will occur during sampling activities. Soil, sub-slab, monitoring well and groundwater samples will be tested for VOCs, SVOCs, PAHs, metals, and PCBs.Soil Sampling
The soil sampling strategy will begin in an area of suspected contamination, moving outwards towards areas not expected to be contaminated. This method of sampling will indicate the extent of contamination.
Soil samples will be taken from multiple depths in the area surrounding Building 50 and 52 with additional sampling just north of Building 1. The sampling will provide an indication as to the extent of any contamination, including VOCs, SVOCs, PAHs, metals, and PCBs.
Sub-slab Soil Sampling
Sub-slab soil sampling may be accomplished inside Building 50, if soil sampling locations adjacent to Building 50 indicates VOC contamination.
Monitoring Well Sampling
Groundwater samples will be collected from the 14 monitoring wells surrounding Building 50 and adjacent areas.
Groundwater Sampling
Groundwater samples will be collected near the top of the groundwater table at the same locations where soil samples are taken around the perimeter of Buildings 50 and 52.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have questions, please contact:
Belinda Young
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7463
Toll Free: 1-800-223-0425
young.belinda@epa.gov