Mundell & Associates, Inc.

Consulting Professionals for the Earth and the Environment

  • Careers
  • Hablamos Español
COVID-19 Policies
call us at (317) 630-9060
110 S. Downey Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46219 | Fax: (317) 630-9065
  •  
  • Company
    • About Us
    • Our Staff
    • Mission and Vision
    • Social Mission
    • Hablamos Español
    • Careers
    • Contact
  • Services
  • Industry Solutions
  • Portfolio
  • News
Discuss your projectall news
You are here: Home / Portfolio / PCB Evaluation and 40 CFR 761.61 Self-directed Cleanup

PCB Evaluation and 40 CFR 761.61 Self-directed Cleanup

portfolio typeCase Historiespdf iconDownload this as PDFPosted on May 28, 2014

PCB Litigation Site

Challenge

Mundell was contracted by a client to evaluate polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination identified in the subsurface at a client-owned property (Site) in Kokomo, Indiana. The Site is separated from the historic Continental Steel Superfund facility by Wildcat Creek. It is adjacent to a property currently owned by an excavation contractor, where PCB levels had been identified in the subsurface at similar and higher levels. Additionally, the Site was historically owned by the adjacent property owner. Mundell was tasked with determining whether impacts observed on site were likely associated with client actions, or may have been caused by another entity, such as the adjacent property owner.

Action

Mundell researched parcel ownership information, and evaluated aerial photos to piece together a better understanding of the development of the client site. Mundell also evaluated historic flood levels along the adjacent creek to determine if flooding associated with Continental Steel site contamination on the north side of the creek could have caused the PCB contamination observed at the Site.

Results

The results of the investigation indicate that the PCB contamination is generally consistent with locations of waste debris fill material, which is more prevalent across the adjacent property. Based on parcel ownership, aerial photo evidence, and evaluation of other possible contaminant emplacement mechanisms, Mundell determined that there was no other viable explanation to account for the presence of the contamination other than historic burial activities associated with the adjacent property owner prior to the sale of the property to the Mundell client.

While the findings were being considered in ongoing legal proceedings, Mundell was required by the state regulatory agency to nonetheless develop a cleanup plan. The relevant regulations are associated with federally managed self-implementing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) cleanups, per 40 CFR 761.61.

As outlined in 40 CFR 761.61(a), a property can be classified as either a high or low occupancy area. Under each of these occupancy classifications, different cleanup levels are required, depending on the level of engineering controls that will exist:

  • (high occupancy, with no other controls: PCB cleanup goal <= 1 ppm)
  • (high occupancy, with cap: PCB cleanup goal >1 and <= 10 ppm)
  • (low occupancy, with no other controls: PCB cleanup goal
  • (low occupancy, with fence, signage: PCB cleanup goal <25 ppm and <= 50 ppm)
  • (low occupancy, with cap: PCB cleanup goal >25 ppm and <= 100 ppm)

Mundell worked with United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) personnel to develop a work plan that was reviewed and subsequently approved. To guarantee the most potential resale value for the client property, the work plan developed by Mundell would plan to achieve the most conservative cleanup goals (<=1 ppm with no institutional controls required); features that could otherwise restrict the usage of the property for current or future owners. After completion of remedial activities, an Implementation Report will be submitted to the U.S. EPA.

more information Learn about our related services (Litigation Support) and industry solutions (Insurance and Law)

Similar Portfolio Items

  • Expert Witness Testimony, Petroleum Storage Facility Litigation
  • Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon Distribution – Superfund Site
  • Modeling Provides Confidence In Risk Assessment

Discuss your projectall news

all portfolio View entire portfolio

Portfolio Filter

  • Reset All

Text Search

News

Karst, Cake, and Indiana Geology

April 22, 2022in Science and Environment

Mundell & Associates Featured on International News Program

November 30, 2021in Company News

Ask a Professional – What sparked your interest in the Earth Sciences?

October 14, 2021in Company News

Earth Science Week 2021 – Water Today and for the Future

October 10, 2021in Community Involvement, Science and Environment

Our Affiliations

- Midwestern States Environmental Consultants Association
- Environmental & Engineering Geophysical Society
- Professional Geologists of Indiana, Inc.
- National Ground Water Association
- American Societies of Chemical / Civil Engineers Engineers without Borders
- Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists
- Indiana Association for Environmental Professionals
- Geological Society of American
- Indiana Circular Economy Initiative
- Economy of Communion
- Indiana Recycling Coalition

.....and more more affiliations

Be Inspired

Loading...
Download calendarGet full calendar ICAL· Google Calendar

Don’t Top Off Your Gas Tank

Why?

  1. Topping off the gas tank can result in your paying for gasoline that is fed back into the station’s tanks because your gas tank is full.
  2. Gasoline vapors are harmful to breathe
  3. You need extra room in your gas tank to allow the gasoline to expand.
  4. Topping off your gas tank may foul the station’s vapor recovery system.

Source: EPA

.....see all tips more tips

Copyright © 2022 · Mundell & Associates, Inc. · 110 S. Downey Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46219 · (317) 630-9060 · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Sitemap