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Fact Sheet

August 2010

Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Remedy, Former EaglePicher Pharmaceuticals Facility, Lenexa, Johnson County, Kansas

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 announces a public comment period for the proposed remedy at the former EaglePicher facility, located at 13605 W. 96th Terrace in Lenexa, Kansas. The remedy proposed for the site is a ANo Further Corrective Action (Cleanup)@. The Administrative Record file can be found at the Lackman Public Library in Lenexa, Kansas.

The public comment period will run from August 16 through September 14, 2010, to enable the public to participate in the remedy selection process.

A public hearing is not scheduled at this time. If the public requests a public hearing, in writing, with a statement of issues to be raised at the hearing, EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing if it finds that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the proposed remedy.

Written comments can be submitted by mail or e-mail, and must be received no later than close of business September 14, 2010. Comments should be sent to:

David Garrett
U.S. EPA, AWMD/RCAP
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
garrett.david@epa.gov

Comments received will be summarized in a Response to Comments, and responses will be provided to those individuals providing the comments. The Response to Comments will be drafted at the conclusion of the public comment period and incorporated into the Administrative Record. EPA may modify the proposed final remedies or select other alternatives based upon new information and comments from the public.

BACKGROUND

The EaglePicher facility was located at 13605 W. 96th Terrace, Lenexa, Kansas, in a 24,000 square-foot facility. Surrounding properties include a fire station and residential areas to the north, industrial park to the south and west, and residential areas to the east. The facility operated as a research and production laboratory, specializing in high purity specialty chemicals for drug development. The facility was decommissioned in 2009. Decommissioning and closure activities complied with the requirements of the facility's Nuclear Materials License issued by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment's (KDHE's) Bureau of Air and Radiation.

In 1999, KDHE conducted a RCRA Facility Assessment (RFA) of the facility to identify potential releases at the facility, identify and evaluate solid waste management units and other areas of concern, make preliminary determinations on the need for further actions, and screen areas that could potentially pose a threat to human health or the environment. KDHE's RFA concluded that there were no threats to human health and the environment, and that a RCRA Facility Investigation was not necessary.

In 2006, EaglePicher took action to close its hazardous waste storage area and storage cabinets under KDHE oversight. EaglePicher's storage cabinets and hazardous waste storage area were evaluated, decontaminated, dismantled and disposed of in accordance with RCRA disposal requirements. The hazardous waste storage area soils outside the building also were sampled to verify that no impacts to the surface and subsurface occurred. The results of the analysis showed no detectable concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the soils beneath the storage shed. Concentrations of metals, tritium, and carbon 14 were all in the acceptable range, with the exception of one lead concentration sample (an anomaly).

In 2008, EPA instructed EaglePicher to conduct a field investigation as part of closure of EaglePicher's RCRA Corrective Action obligations. Soil samples were taken from the north, west and south sides of the building; sediment samples from the storm water inlets at the site; and ground water samples from each of the monitoring wells. Sample results for soils, sediments and radioactive materials were compared to the screening levels for soils, and the Maximum Contamination Levels for ground water.

CONCLUSION

Because radionuclides, VOCs and metals are below EPA screening levels and levels set for safe drinking water, EPA and KDHE have determined that no further remedial work is necessary at the former EaglePicher facility, thus the proposed final remedy is no further action.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Copies of the decision documents and documents used to determine the proposed remedy are available to the public during normal business hours at the following locations:

Lackman Public Library
15345 W. 87th Street Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66219
(913) 495-7540

EPA Region 7 Records Center
901 N. 5th St.
Kansas City, Kansas
(913) 551-7241

If you have questions, or want to join the mailing list, please contact

Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA, Region 7, Office of Public Affairs
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 551-7253
Toll free: (800) 223-0425

Joining the mailing list will allow individuals to receive any updated information related to this site.

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