Subject: 

A.    EPA has been requested by North Whitehall Township, the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to investigate the potential for adverse human health exposures to arsenic that may have resulted from pesticide applications to former orchard areas.  The areas identified for this investigation are within North Whitehall Township, are currently being used for residential or public use, and formerly were used for the commercial growing and harvesting of fruit from orchard trees.  The investigation areas were divided into sampling grids, each measuring 200 feet by 200 feet.  More than 300 grids were selected randomly for sampling during the Tier I portion of the assessment.  Composite samples are being collected from 10 random locations within each grid selected for sampling.  Surface soil samples are being analyzed onsite using a field portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer(EPA Method 6200).  10% of soil samples will be shipped to an approved CLP laboratory for confirmation.  An arsenic screening level of 40 ppm is being used for this site.  Should the arsenic concentration in the soil sample for a selected grid exceed the screening level, the grids to the immediate north, south, east, and west of the grid will be sampled as part of Tier II sampling.  Additional Tier levels will be added as necessary to complete the assessment.  If the exceeding sample grid is located along the site boundary, the site boundary will be expanded as necessary.

In August 2008, EPA and START collected twelve background surface soil and five groundwater samples from locations determined to be outside the former orchard areas.  All background samples were collected in residential or public use areas made available by local officials.  Orchard areas were located based on historical aerial photography with assistance of North Whitehall Township officials.  Background soil and groundwater samples were shipped to an approved CLP laboratory for analysis.

Arsenic results ranged in twelve background soil samples from 3.5 ppm to 29.9 ppm.  Arsenic was not detected in background in ground water samples at a detection level of 10 ppb. Lead was detected in background ground water samples ranging between less than 1 ppb and 59.1 ppb.  Only one ground water result was greater than 11 ppb, which was located within the site boundaries, but not located on former orchard property.

On November 5, 2008, validated well water data was received by EPA showing concentrations of lead in drinking water greater than 11 ppb in 45 of 61 samples.  Arsenic was detected greater than 10 ppb in 1 of 61 samples.

Letters and access agreements have been sent to an additional 868 properties regarding potable water sampling from private wells.  Water sampling is currently only open to residential properties.

EPA notified residents of results and recommended not using well water for drinking or cooking.  EPA is providing residents with lead or arsenic concentrations greater than site action levels with bottled water.

As of November 14th, EPA is not accepting any additional access for surface soil sampling for the initial assessment.  Soil samples results are currently being validated and are expected to be received in early December.  Residents should receive results letters for soil samples in December.

Access has currently been received to 582 properties.  EPA contractors have been attempting to contact all residents with approved access agreements for water testing.  483 potable water samples have been collected from residential homes for lead and arsenic analysis.

Results have been received for 333 potable water samples.  EPA has been notifying residents of the results over the phone, and a written letter is sent out to both the property owner and occupant documenting the results.

EPA is currently using a group of 11 homes as a control group in an attempt to determine the source and/or cause of elevated lead concentrations in well water.  EPA is also conducting interviews of individuals with historical knowledge of the site area.

EPA contractors are currently supplying bottled water to 144 property owners with well water concentrations at or greater than 11 ppb for lead, or 10 ppb for arsenic.

Potable well sampling activities will continue for residential property owners within the site area.

EPA will continue and expand investigations to determine the source and/or cause of lead contamination in the groundwater.

The soil investigation will continue.  The report on the random soil testing is in preparation.  Validated soil results from this study are planned to be distributed to property owners in December.