Zonolite Company/W.R. Grace, 1210 Factory Street, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
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EPA
Region		 Location of facility Type of facility Amount
of ore
received
(in tons)		 Did
EPA
visit
the
site?		 Were
samples
taken?		 Results of
evaluation
3 1210 Factory Street, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania Former exfoliation facility 9,500 Yes-April 3, 2000 Yes According to an EPA database compiled from W.R. Grace shipping invoices, 9,500 tons of Libby ore were shipped to this site between January 1966 and June 1969. A 1964 information circular published by the Bureau of Mines (in the U.S. Department of the Interior) indicated that this facility was a vermiculite exfoliation plant. EPA determined this facility operated as an exfoliation plant between 1954 and 1969. The area surrounding the property was used for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. At the time of EPA’s investigation, the site was being used by a trucking company for short-term storage, and a machine shop also operated on the property. EPA collected samples at this site on three occasions. First, in 2000, EPA collected two soil samples, and the results indicated that one sample contained 2-percent asbestos and the other sample did not contain detectable levels of asbestos. These samples were analyzed using polarized light microscopy (PLM). Second, in 2002, EPA collected six soil samples and the results indicated that three samples contained less than 1-percent asbestos and the other three samples did not contain detectable levels of asbestos. These samples were analyzed using PLM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). EPA collected two air samples in 2002, and neither of the samples contained detectable levels of asbestos. The air samples were analyzed using TEM. On the basis of this information and the results of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (ATSDR) Public Health Evaluation for the site, EPA conducted additional sampling in August 2006 to determine if a cleanup would be needed. After completing additional sampling and analysis, EPA found low levels of asbestos contamination at the site and indications that trespassers and people riding ATV vehicles across the property were potentially being exposed to the contamination. On the basis of this information and in consultation with ATSDR, EPA determined that a removal action should be taken at the site. The removal action began in July 2008 but was shutdown at the end of November 2008 due to inclement weather. The cleanup operations will resume in April 2009 and is expected to be completed in July 2009. ATSDR’s health consultation report for this site can be found at ATSDR.

GAO-09-6R