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Ye and Onatzevitch Consulting | 111 Quad DriveEaston, PA 18042
Seymour BuckmeisterPresident, Malls-R-UsMoraine, Drumlin
February 21, 2017
Subject: Letter of Transmittal
Dear Mr. Buckmeister,
Attached, please find the complete Phase I Environmental Site Assessment completed in relation to the Self-Lume, Incorporated property in Moraine, Drumlin. This report was prepared according to the standards specific in the ASTM E1527 guidelines. The purpose of this report is to identify recognized environmental conditions in connection with the Self-Lume property and present recommendations for further investigation, if necessary.
The conclusion of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment indicate the presence of several recognized environmental conditions. The capped well on the property, the existing sewage disposal system, and the presence of rusting gas pumps in the exterior area of the Self-Lume Factory are all causes for concern in terms of the Phase I Assessment. These RECs, in conjunction with a topographic and geologic condition which is conducive to water and contaminant transport, necessitate immediate investigation. It is our recommendation that these conditions be further investigation through the process of Phase II Environmental Site Assessment.
The following items are provided in conjunction with the Phase I Report:● Site Topographical Contour Map ● Bedrock Contour Map● Annotated Site Address Map and Site Grid Map● Water Table Contour Map● Water Quality Report Summary● Self-Lume Sewage Disposal System Application● Sewage Inspection Report● Relevant Newspaper Articles
Please contact us if you have any additional questions.
Sincerely,
Lauren Onatzevitch, Cathy Ye
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Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Self-Lume, Incorporated20 Loess Lane
Moraine, Drumlin
Prepared For:Mr. Seymour Buckmeister
President, Malls-R-Us
Prepared By:Ye and Onatzevitch Consulting
Cathy Ye and Lauren Onatzevitch
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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1.0 Executive Summary………….…………………………………………………….….…..…42.0 Physical Description of Self-Lume
Property……………………………………………….42.1 Physical Description of Contractual Site……………………………………….……..52.2 Subsurface Physical Description of Site………………………………………………52.3 Aquifer Physical Description………………………………………………………….6
3.0 Records Review………………………………...……………………………….…...….……63.1 Physical Setting Sources…………………………………………….………….……..63.2 Environmental Records Sources………………………………………………………73.3 Historical Use Information……………………………………...…………………….7
4.0 Site Reconnaissance……………………..………………………………………..………….84.1 Self-Lume Property……………………………………………...…………………….84.2 Adjacent Properties……………………………………………………………………9
5.0 Interviews……………..…………………………………………………………...………...105.1 Municipal Authority Interviews……………………………………………………...105.2 Moraine Residents Interviews………………………………………………………..11
6.0 Evaluation…………..……………………………………………………………...……..…126.1 Adjacent Property Analysis……………………………………………...……..……126.2 Recognized Environmental Conditions and Rationale……………………………....136.3 Budget Summary………………………………………………………………….…13
7.0 Non-Scope Considerations……………….…………………………………...………....…148.0 Appendices………….………………………………………………………………..…...…15
8.1 Site Topographical Contour Map……………………………………………..…...…158.2 Bedrock Contour Map………………………………………………………..………158.3 Annotated Site Address Map……………….…………………………………..……168.4 Water Table Contour Map……………………………………………………...
…….168.5 Water Quality Report Summary ………………………………...……………...……
178.6 Malls-R-Us Site Grid Map………………………………………………………...…198.7 ‘Doctor Still Haunted by Death of Patient’ Article ………………………...……….198.8 Moraine Purchase Order……………………………………………………......……198.9 Self-Lume Sewage Disposal System Application…………………………...………208.10 ‘IRS Explores Terrain’ Article……………………………………………………...218.11 Sanitary Inspection Report………………………………………………….………22
1.0 Executive Summary
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The purpose of this investigation is to assess the presence of recognized environmental
conditions in conjunction with the Self-Lume Factory property and surrounding properties as
defined by the contractual agreement. This assessment was completed according to the
environmental site assessment procedure as defined by the ASTM E 1527 guidelines. The Self-
Lume property includes the now abandoned Self-Lume Factory, in which self-luminous safety
signs were produced since the company’s incorporation in 1974. The process used to create Self-
Lume signage involved the use of radioactive material, in which sealed glass tubes were filled
with tritium gas and coated with phosphor and the radiation emitted by the tritium stimulated the
phosphor to produce continuous illumination. Malls-R-Us President Seymour Buckmeister has
chosen to undergo this study in order to identify the presence or likely presence of hazardous
substances on the Self-Lume Property or surrounding properties.
The environmental site assessment that was performed by Ye and Onatzevitch Consulting
identified several recognized environmental conditions in conjunction with the Self-Lume
property and surrounding properties.
2.0 Physical Description of Self-Lume Property
The Self-Lume Property is located at 20 Loess Lane in Moraine, Drumlin. The central
building on the site, the abandoned Self-Lume Factory, is constructed primarily of cinder block.
The maximum topographic elevation on the Self-Lume Property is approximately 840 feet above
sea level. This elevation is greater than the majority of the township of Moraine, thus indicating
that potential releases on the Self-Lume property or surrounding properties would be able to
migrate towards decreasing elevations. The topographic map of the Self Lume Property can be
found in Appendix 8.1.
2.1 Physical Description of Contractual Site
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The boundaries of the site as defined in the contract include the Self-Lume property and
any surrounding properties included on the Mall-R-Us site grid map with dimensions of 2000
feet by 3200 feet. This map can be found in Appendix 8.6. Additionally, the topographic map of
the Self-Lume Property and surrounding properties can be found in Appendix 8.1. The properties
included in the contractual site boundaries include the Self Lume Factory and the lot surrounding
the factory as indicated in the aforementioned site grid map. The bedrock elevations, water table
elevations, and topographic elevations of the property surrounding the Self-Lume Factory are
within the ranges indicated for the Self-Lume Property itself.
2.2 Subsurface Physical Description of Site
A complete map of the bedrock contours beneath the township of Moraine can be found
in the map in Appendix 8.2. The elevation of the underlying bedrock at the property ranges
between approximately 672 feet to 684 feet above sea level, as demonstrated in the
aforementioned map. Areas of lower bedrock elevation underlie the Northern part of the Self-
Lume property and extend towards the Southwestern corner of the Moraine township. Within
this area of lower bedrock elevation, the permeability of the soil is comparatively much greater
and therefore the propensity for water or liquids to migrate is much greater. This in turn
increases the potential for any contaminants that may have been released on the Self-Lume site
or surrounding properties to migrate towards the well in the Southwestern corner of Moraine.
Thus, a greater threat exists to the water supply due to the geological characteristics of the
contractual site and surrounding area.
2.3 Aquifer Physical Description
The approximate elevation of the water table beneath the property ranges from 806 feet to
808 feet above sea level, and indicated by the map found in Appendix 8.4. The water table
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elevation map can be found in Appendix 8.4. The majority of the residents in the town of
Moraine rely on well water, and those wells directly tap into subsurface aquifer located beneath
the town. The physical characteristics of the aquifer in conjunction with the subsurface
geological conditions of the site and surrounding areas create a great potential for contaminant
migration in the water supply of Moraine.
3.0 Record Review
3.1 Physical Setting Sources
The Self-Lume Factory and surround property is located at 20 Loess Lane in the town of
Moraine, Drumlin. Indication of the physical boundary lines of the Self-Lume Property were
indicated on the site grid map provided by Maps-R-Us which can be found in Appendix 8.6. A
current USGS topographic map of the Self-Lume property and the surrounding area was also
reviewed and can be found in Appendix 8.1. As previously indicated, the elevation of the
majority of the Self-Lume site is approximately 840 feet above sea level. The elevation of the
surrounding area gradually decreases towards the Southwest side of the town of Moraine to
approximately 820 feet. While the slope on the site might not be visibly extreme, this change in
elevation might cause runoff from the Self-Lume property to move down into the town of
Moraine and come in contact with the Town Well located on Pitch Pine Lane in the Southeastern
part of Moraine. Additionally, the geological conditions of the property as described in the
Subsurface description of the site present a greater opportunity for contaminants to migrate to
wells which supply Moraine residents with drinking water.
3.2 Environmental Records Sources
Based on the Sanitary Inspection Report provided by Anne Spector from Health
Department, radioactive chemicals were used on site by the Self-Lume company, but they were
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regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. According to Ms. Spector, there was need to
interfere because it appears that the chemicals were handled in a way that exposed no one to risk.
The Sanitary Inspection Report can be found in Appendix 8.10. According to a personal letter
from Anne Spector, the permits for underground storage tanks, or USTs, were damaged in a
flood that occurred at the Fire Department, so the UST permits for the years 1974 and 1975 are
not available at the present time. Lastly, according to the most recent water quality report from
the Health Department, Well #3 of the Township of Moraine has been contaminated with organic
compound including benzene, toluene, xylene, and tritium, as shown in Appendix 8.5.
3.3 Historical Use Information
The factory was built by Self-Lume, Inc. in 1974-1975 and began operation in 1975 on
property that was purchased from the Fallow Family. The Self-Lume business involved the use
of radioactive tritium in the production of self-luminous signage. This signage was not only
produced on the Self-Lume site but also used by the Moraine Municipal Government. The
purchase order dating to 1985 can be found in Appendix 8.8. Additionally, several wells and a
septic tank system were installed on the Self-Lume site. Permits for the individual sewage
disposal and septic system were filed in 1974 and the system was subsequently installed by
Honey Dipper, Inc. The application for this permit can be found in Appendix 8.9. The Self-Lume
Factory was closed in 1994. The property is currently on the real estate market.
4.0 Site Reconnaissance
4.1 Self-Lume Property
Along the driveway leading to the Self-Lume Factory is dense deciduous forest. Part of
and underground storage tank can be seen from the driveway. The Southeast corner of the
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parking lot at the factory has been cleared, with only weeds and small grasses growing. The
substrate here consists of a ¾ inch diameter gravel with some finer soil interspersed.
The central building on the Self-Lume Property, located at 20 Loess Lane, is the
abandoned Self-Lume Factory. The dimensions of this central building are approximately 320
feet by 730 feet . Within the central building on the Self-Lume Property, the dimensions of
interior rooms range from approximately 30 feet by 30 feet to 1400 feet by 800 feet. The
majority of the interior rooms in the center of the building are office space which has been
cleared of any furnishings, including electronics. Also in the interior of the building are several
capped copper pipes that likely were used to convey water. In what is labeled as the boiler room
there are a great number of these pipes, though not a visible storage tank for any utilities. Thus,
there must be an underground storage tank or UST. A capped well with a concrete pier can be
observed here in the boiler with, with additional capped pipes and rusty values with signage
reading “Main Water Feed”. Signage on adjacent interior rooms warn of the presence of
radioactive material, but the rooms are empty with properly capped pipes.
Located adjacent to the factory entrance are concrete piers with two existing gas pumps.
The pumps appear to be out of us; they are old and rusted with no visible hoses or nozzles. The
pumps also do not have any markings to indicate prior contents. South of these fuel tanks is a
large cleared area, in which the substrate is comprised of dirt and gravel. Mixed in with the
substrate is cinderblock, asphalt, and other debris, thus indicating that this area has been recently
used as a landfill. On the East side of the building, the cinder block has been stained by soot
above a section of six windows. Also on this side of the building is a pipe that was apparently
used to refill oil tanks and is no longer in use. Approximately 150 feet out from the East wall are
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several concrete footings whose past use is not ascertainable. Thus concluded the visual site
reconnaissance of the Self-Lume property.
4.2 Adjacent Properties
The visual site reconnaissance of adjacent properties began on Pitch Pine Lane, located
South of the Self-Lume Property. Pine barren vegetation dominates this area, which includes
scrub oak and pine trees. The soils here are light colored or beige soils that are visibly sandy and
gravelly. Approximately 0.3 miles down the road is a 20 feet wide extension with little
vegetation except for low, scraggly weeds. There is also a brick building located 40 to 50 feet
from the road with Water Supply Signage, which is likely the Town Well. In the area across
from the BTEX Gas Station the vegetation changes from deciduous forest with fine soils. North
of the Self-Lume Property at Plucker’s Scrap Metal there are numerous automobiles and vehicles
piled up, in various stages of being stripped. Next, at the Rochee Mountonee Vineyards, located
South of the Self-Lume Property, are two brick sheds with hose and irrigation equipment. They
appear to be active wells on the vineyard property. Lastly, the water tower to the Northwest of
the Self-Lume Property is surrounded by primarily scrub oak and pine foliage and sandy soils.
Thus concluded the visual site reconnaissance of adjacent properties.
5.0 Interviews
5.1 Municipal Authorities Interviews
Numerous interviews were performed over the course of the environmental site
assessment of the Self-Lume property and contractual site. The initial interview of the
assessment was at the Environmental Division of the Health Department, where we spoke with
Anne Spector. She shared information about past newspaper articles concerning potential water
supply contamination, though made assurances that should there be any threat to public health it
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would have been addressed by the Health Department. Ms. Spector provided the Sanitation
Report for the Moraine Township. A brief interview was then completed with the Major of
Moraine, in which he mentioned the water complaints approximately 3 months earlier and
alluded to the closing of the Self-Lume Factory and the fire that occurred there.
Several additional interviews were then carried out within the Public Works Department
of Moraine. Dee Skustin of the Solid Waste and Sewers Division stated any of their records
predating 1990 were damaged by a flood, and locating them would be very difficult and costly,
thus rendering these records not reasonably ascertainable. Mr. Skustin also mention that
journalist Ivana Lede had published several articles about the potential presence of radioactive
waste. In an interview with Mari Ner of the Water Supply Division the records of the Site Well
and information about the existing water tanks. Ms. Ner asserted that her department was solely
responsible for water supply services, and that the Health Department was responsible for water
quality. Interviews were then performed at the local Fire and Police Department, which provide
damage reports for the fire that occurred at the Self-Lume Factory after its closing as well as a
report on an oil spill that occurred in 1983. Lastly, an interview with Rita Lott at the Moraine
Public Library provided several past newspaper articles related to water contamination and the
death of Moraine Resident and Honey Dipper employee Mal Sangre. All of the documents
provided throughout the course of these interviews were included in the records review.
5.2 Moraine Residents Interviews
Several interviews were completed with local business owners and Moraine residents.
The resident interviewed was Ivana Lede, an employee of the local newspaper since 1992. Ms.
Lede had gathered information Self-Lume’s use of radioactive materials. According to Lede, the
company used chemicals that required permits from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and
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that they had all the necessary documentation for their use of tritium. However, Lede was
concerned that Self-Lume was disposing of a decreasing amount of radioactive waste without
any corresponding decrease in production. Additionally, Lede published articles about the late
Mal Sangre. Sangre, an employee of the Honey Dipper company, was responsible for cleaning
the septic tanks in Moraine. Sangre died of an extremely rare blood disease, but Lede was unable
to gather more information on any link between Self-Lume’s waste disposal and Sangre’s death.
Lede’s article concerning Sangre’s death can be found in Appendix 8.7. Lastly, Lede asserted
that Self-Lume’s relationship with the town of Moraine was very positive, and that they had
gainfully employed many residents before the factory shut down. Lede’s information about
Sangre’s death was corroborated in an interview with Moraine resident Rhea Kruter.
Next, an interview with lawyer Eve Ader referred us to Erratic Avenue resident Connie
Ferm. The interview with Connie Ferm led to her referral of Dr. Priya Scribe, the doctor who
treated Sangre. An interview with Dr. Scribe revealed that Sangre died of polycythemia vera, an
extremely rare blood disease. Dr. Scribe was never able to find sufficient cause to explain
Sangre’s death, nor was she able to discover any link between Sangre’s job as a septic tank
cleaner, but she suspects there was a connection and plans to continue research on the subject.
Lastly, Scribe confirmed that there was nothing medically wrong with the Moraine residents who
had been complaining about the water having a faint gasoline taste. Scribe had treated them and
tested for any medical concerns that could have arised as a result of water contamination.
6.0 Evaluation
6.1 Adjacent Property Analysis
Well #3 provides drinking water to local residents and is located 40 feet to 50 feet away
from the south of Self-Lume Factory. According to the Water Quality Report from Health
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Department, Well #3 to the Moraine Township is heavily contaminated with the organic
compounds benzene, toluene, and xylene, often originated from gasoline pollution, and with the
beta radionuclide tritium (H3), a form of hydrogen that is radioactive. The level of each of the
organic compounds alone as well as the tritium alone found in well #3 are sufficient to require
the immediate closing of well #3.
Additionally, the owner of local diner and BTEX gas station, Tillie Terrain has been
audited by the Internal Revenue Service based upon a suspicion of underreporting profits while
Terrain adamantly denies these charges. IRS comments that there is a large discrepancy between
gallons delivered and income reported by Tillie’s BTEX. Since Terrain believes that no one has
been stealing from the pumps, the underground oil tank leaking could be a possible reason for
the loss of gasoline. The newspaper article covering this recent development can be found in
Appendix 8.10.
The EPA will hire environmental consulting firms to conduct a Phase II Environmental
Site Assessment that will focus on searching for the source or sources of contamination in
Municipal Well #3 and delineating the nature and extent of underground contamination.
6.2 Self-Lume Property Recognized Environmental Conditions and Rationale
Several recognized environmental conditions were identified on the Self-Lume property.
In the interior of the factory building, a capped well was present the boiler room, which was
directly adjacent to rooms marked with radioactive material signage. Also, evidence of a fire was
observed that may have had some impact on the release of radioactive materials into the
environment. In the exterior area surrounding the factory building, there were several areas of
vegetative stress in the surrounding area. Adjacent to the factory entrance were two old and
rusted gas pumps that had no indication of their contents. Pipes located on the exterior of the
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building were also likely used in the refilling of oil tanks. The presence of these unmarked tanks
indicate a potential threat of release into the environment and merit further investigation. Lastly,
according to documents provided by the Health Department and the observation of areas of
vegetative stress indicate the presence of an underground sewage disposal tank and septic system
that was used exclusively by the Self-Lume Factory. These observations, and the mysterious
circumstances surrounding the death of Honey Dipper employee and septic tank cleaner Mal
Sangre indicate the need for further investigation.
6.3 Budget Summary
The total direct cost of the services rendered throughout the environmental site
assessment was $859.00. The majority of the total budget was dedicated to performing
interviews and gathering information at local municipal offices including the Environmental
Division of the Health Department and the Water Division of the Public Works Department at a
cost of $25.00 per visit. Additionally, parts of the budget were expended in visiting local
businesses, such as Tillie’s Diner, Wedging Nursery, Town Well and BTX Gas Station, also at a
cost of $25.00 per visit to each site. Several residents of the town were also interviewed as key
sources of information over the course of the environmental site assessment, again at a cost of
$25.00 per visit and $1.00 per additional question. Another large proportion of the cost was
devoted to visual site reconnaissance of the Self- Lume property and adjacent properties, which
cost $100.00 per site reconnaissance. Additional visual site reconnaissance was necessary in
order to gather more information to aid in the environmental site assessment.
7.0 Non-Scope Considerations
As a result of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, several recognized
environmental conditions have been identified in conjunction with the Self-Lume Property. It is
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our recommendation that a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment be performed on the existing
underground sewage disposal system on the site, as well as on the capped well on the site.
Additionally, the gas pumps and oil lines located around the exterior of the factory merit a
further investigation to ensure no contaminants were released into the environment from those
locations.
8.0 Appendices8.1 Site Topographical Contour Map
Source: Brownfield Action Documents
8.2 Bedrock Contour MapSource: Brownfield Action Documents
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8.3 Annotated Site Address MapSource: Brownfield Site Aerial Photos
8.4 Water Table Contour MapSource: Brownfield Action Documents
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8.5 Water Quality Report SummarySource: Anne Spector, Moraine Health Department
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8.6 Malls-R-Us Site Grid MapSource: Malls-R-Us Documents
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8.7 ‘Doctor Still Haunted by Death of Patient’ ArticleSource: Moraine Public Library
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8.8 Moraine Purchase RequisitionSource: Arthur Rizer, Moraine Purchasing Department
8.9 Self-Lume Sewage Disposal System ApplicationSource: Anne Spector, Moraine Health Department
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8.10 ‘IRS Explores Terrain’ Article
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Source: Ivana Lede, Moraine Newspaper
8.11 Sanitary Inspection ReportSource: Anne Spector, Moraine Health Department
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