p:\17228\correspondence\initial epa...
TRANSCRIPT
Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc. 117 Fourth Avenue
Needham, MA 02494-2725
TEL 800-825-5343
781-247-4300 FAX 781-247-4305
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August 30, 2010 Ms. Kimberly Tisa PCB Coordinator U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Five Post Office Square, Suite 100 Boston, MA 02109-3912 RE: Clarke Middle School, Lexington, Massachusetts (EH&E 17378)
Dear Ms. Tisa:
This letter is intended to provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with
information regarding polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated materials that exceed the
allowable levels under the federal PCB regulations. Said materials were identified at Jonas
Clarke Middle School located at 17 Stedman Road in Lexington, Massachusetts (the School).
Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc. (EH&E) is working in conjunction with the Town of
Lexington Director of the Board of Health and the Director of Public Facilities. As part of this
active investigation, exterior caulking materials have been characterized and air samples have
been collected in multiple classrooms in the School.
NATURE OF PCB-CONTAMINATED MATERIAL
EH&E performed a thorough investigation to identify suspect PCB-containing caulking and
sealants used throughout portions of the School. EH&E collected samples in a manner to
investigate the installation and application of caulking materials, including an evaluation of any
evidence indicating window caulking replacement or repair work. Appendix A provides the
locations where the samples were collected. Five unique types of caulking were identified and
sampled. One of the five types of caulking contained PCB concentrations between 790 and
1,900 parts per million (ppm). Table 1 provides the bulk caulking sample results; the laboratory
report is located in Appendix B. Photograph 1 depicts this caulking material and the typical
installation detail between the metal window frame and façade. Photograph 2 depicts a typical
section of the school façade.
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Table 1 Bulk Sample Results for Polychlorinated Biphenyls from Clarke School, 17 Stedman Road,
Lexington, Massachusetts, June 14 and 15, 2010
Sample ID Description Aroclor 12541,2
(ppmw) Notes 112191 Map location 1, light grey caulk 790 2C (750) 112192 Map location 2, orange caulk 30 2C (2.8) 112193 Map location 3, dark grey caulk 2.6 2C (2.6) 112194 Map location 4, white caulk 1.5 2C (1.4) 112195 Map location 5, white caulk 2.8 2C (2.6) 112196 Map location 6, light grey caulk 1,000 2C (970) 112197 Map location 7, orange caulk 11 2C (11) 112198 Map location 8, black caulk 5 2C (4.8) 112199 Map location 9, dark grey caulk 5 2C (4.6) 112200 Map location 10, light grey caulk 1,900 2C (1,800) 112201 Duplicate of sample 112200, light grey caulk 1,400 2C (1,300) 112202 Map location 11, light grey caulk 1,600 2C (1,500) 112203 Map location 12, dark grey caulk 2.6 2C (2.5) 112204 Map location 13, light grey caulk 1,700 2C (1,500) 112205 Map location 14, light grey caulk 1,600 2C (1,400) 112206 Map location 15, white caulk 1.7 2C (1.5)
ppmw parts per million by weight 1 PCB concentration analysis performed by Groundwater Analytical, Inc., using U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) method 8082 (GC/ECD). 2 Aroclor 1016, 1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, and 1260 also tested. All results below reporting levels, unless noted. 1C: Confirmation concentration reported from first column quantification. 2C: Confirmation concentration reported from second column quantification.
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Photograph 1 Typical Caulking Detail
Photograph 2 Typical Façade Section
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AIR SAMPLING DATA
Table 2 provides a summary of the air sampling data collected at the School. The laboratory
report is provided as Appendix C. Results of the air samples collected in the school indicate that
airborne concentrations do not approach or exceed the screening level indoor air values
provided by the EPA for middle schools (ages 12 to <15 years; 450 nanograms per cubic meter
[ng/m3]). These samples were collected with the windows and doors in the School closed, and
the air handling and exhaust systems running.
Table 2 Air Sample Results for Polychlorinated Biphenyls as Homologs at Clarke Middle School,
17 Stedman Road, Lexington, Massachusetts, July 21, 2010
Sample ID Location Parameter1 Results (ng/m3)
105520 Third floor, room 349 Monochlorobiphenyls <3.91 Dichlorobiphenyls <3.91 Trichlorobiphenyls 4.85 Tetrachlorobiphenyls 79.0 Pentachlorobiphenyls 65.6 Hexachlorobiphenyls 22.4 Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.91 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.91 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.91 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.91
Total homologs 171 105521 Third floor, room 321 Monochlorobiphenyls <3.88
Dichlorobiphenyls <3.88 Trichlorobiphenyls <3.88 Tetrachlorobiphenyls 37.8 Pentachlorobiphenyls 41.5 Hexachlorobiphenyls 2.4J Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.88 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.88 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.88 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.88
Total Homologs 81.4 105522 Third floor room 301 Monochlorobiphenyls <3.89
Dichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Trichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Tetrachlorobiphenyls 16.4 Pentachlorobiphenyls 7.30 Hexachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.89
Total Homologs 23.7
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Table 2 Continued
Sample ID Location Parameter1 Results (ng/m3)
105523 Duplicate of sample 105522 Monochlorobiphenyls <3.89 Dichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Trichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Tetrachlorobiphenyls 16.3 Pentachlorobiphenyls 6.68 Hexachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.89
Total Homologs 23.0 105524 Second floor, room 207 Monochlorobiphenyls <3.89
Dichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Trichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Tetrachlorobiphenyls 7.30 Pentachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Hexachlorobiphenyls 2.1J Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.89
Total Homologs 9.40 105525 First floor room 107 Monochlorobiphenyls 2.47J
Dichlorobiphenyls <3.87 Trichlorobiphenyls <3.87 Tetrachlorobiphenyls 2.4J Pentachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Hexachlorobiphenyls 2.55J Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.87
Total Homologs 7.42 105526 Second floor, room 227 Monochlorobiphenyls <3.89
Dichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Trichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Tetrachlorobiphenyls 16.7 Pentachlorobiphenyls 8.31 Hexachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.89
Total Homologs 25.0
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Table 2 Continued
Sample ID Location Parameter1 Results (ng/m3)
105527 First floor, room 137 Monochlorobiphenyls <3.87 Dichlorobiphenyls <3.87 Trichlorobiphenyls <3.87 Tetrachlorobiphenyls 18.0 Pentachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Hexachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.87 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.87
Total Homologs 18.0 105528 Outdoors Monochlorobiphenyls <3.89
Dichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Trichlorobiphenyls <3.89 Tetrachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Pentachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Hexachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Heptachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Octachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Nonachlorobiphenyls <3.89 Decachlorobiphenyl <3.89
Total Homologs <3.89 ng/m3 nanograms per cubic meter < The analyte was analyzed for, but not detected at, the specific level reported. 1 PCB concentration analysis performed by Alpha Analytical, Inc., using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Method 10A (GC/MS-SIM).
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ONGOING WORK
Field investigation activities are planned at the School and include the collection and analysis of
soil and porous materials adjacent to the caulking with elevated PCB concentrations. Once
results from this additional testing are received, an application as part of 40 CFR 761 .61(c) will
be submitted to the EPA.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact either of us at 1-800-TALK EHE
(1-800-825-5343).
Sincerely, Matt A. Fragala, M.S., C.I.H. Joseph G. Allen, D.Sc., M.P.H. Senior Scientist/Project Manager Senior Scientist/Project Executive Appendix A Sample Location Figure Appendix B Bulk Sample Laboratory Report Appendix C Air Sample Laboratory Report cc: Patrick Goddard, Director of Public Facilities, Town of Lexington Gerard Cody, Health Director, Town of Lexington
6
For Official Use Only
Side C
Side A
Side D
District: Lexington School Name: Clarke Middle School
Address: 17 Stedman Road Lexington, MA 02421
School Hours:
In-session Contact: Steven Flynn (781) 861-2450
Off-Hours Contact:
Approach Hazards:
Notes:
2nd Floor Legend
Single Door Double Door Window
Stairs Ramp Elevator Fire Extinguisher Gas Shut-Off Electrical Shut-Off Water Shut-Off Chair Lift Sprinkler Shutoff Generator
Camera
Fire Standpipe
2nd Floor Plan
Side B
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321 323325
312/Staff Rm
372Lounge
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Library
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For Official Use Only
District: Lexington School Name: Clarke Middle School
Address: 17 Stedman Road Lexington, MA 02421
School Hours:
In-session Contact: Steven Flynn (781) 861-2450
Off-Hours Contact:
Approach Hazards:
Notes:
Lower Level Legend
Single Door Double Door Window
Stairs Ramp Elevator Fire Extinguisher Gas Shut-Off Electrical Shut-Off Water Shut-Off Chair Lift Sprinkler Shutoff Generator
Camera
Fire Standpipe
Side A
Side B
Side D
Side C
Lower Level Floor Plan
107/Comp
118
119
125
127
137
Music
Off110Off Music
132 StE
Auditorium
116 St
106105
109114
117 St 115
T
123 St
129 St
Gymnasium
Aerobic R
m
Off
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J
El 134B St
134A
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e
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JB
G
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ElevRm
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BoysLockers
St
JTSt
Off
T
St
St
St
St
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St
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56 7
8 9OHD E
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AED
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