Agency officials search for vermiculite, asbestos dust near residential site

Agency officials look for asbestos and vermiculite dust.

ODHS and ATDSR staff first visited the site in March 2001 after abatement had been completed.

Kevin McCrann, ODEQ, conducted a walk-through of the site and identified areas formerly used for the processing and storage of vermiculite. Mr. McCrann presented details of the clean up conducted under ODEQ oversight subsequent to the collection of the dust and soil samples in 2000 (see below). In August of 2002, ODHS/ATSDR conducted a second walk-through of the former exfoliation facility and observed the areas immediately adjacent to the facility. The following observations were made:

No vermiculite was observed in areas immediately around the site. No dust or visible contamination was observed inside the buildings. The buildings were occupied by a number of small businesses. The area immediately around the site is light industrial. There were no residences observed close to the site. The nearest residences observed approximately one-quarter of a mile away, appeared to be relatively new.

In August 2004, representatives of OR-OSHA, ODEQ, EPA and DHS, as well as a former worker visited the site to begin the process of drawing up a second bulk-sampling plan in response to SHINE’s request for further limited sampling. Representatives heard accounts of historic work conditions at the facility and identified mica-like flakes in the soil on the property facing Loring Street, which appeared to be vermiculite remnants.

In January and March 2005, SHINE staff joined EPA staff in site visits to identify locations for passive and activity-based sampling.

Courtesy of Oregon