Memphis, TN: United States Fireworks Company
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) are investigating whether soil contamination from the former United States Fireworks Company (US Fireworks) in Memphis is present in residential areas.
In response, EPA and TDEC will perform an environmental investigation in the community for the possible presence of contaminants to include heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
Soil samples will be taken from those that have signed access agreement forms, and the results will help determine what additional actions may be required to protect human health and the environment.
Why is EPA involved?
Former US Fireworks operated a pyrotechnics manufacturing facility on 44 acres from about 1920 to 1941. Today, a lumber company operates on a portion of the property (9.90 acres) and the remainder is occupied by residential single-family lots and apartments.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) have determined that additional soil sampling is needed to build upon information gathered during the 2013 site inspection (SI) conducted at the site. An expanded site inspection will be conducted to help provide tenants/homeowners with information about potential soil contamination on their residential properties and assist EPA and TDEC with determining whether additional actions may be needed at the site to protect human health and the environment.
The 2013 SI focused on manufacturing areas identified on the 1927 Sanborn Map. Soil screening using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrument for metals (ex. arsenic, lead, chromium) was conducted on a limited number of residential properties. The number of properties sampled was based on access obtained. Soil screening at four properties indicated levels of certain metals at potentially harmful concentrations.
In addition to XRF screening, soil samples were collected from these four properties and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Of the four properties sampled, one property contained arsenic at a concentration above the EPA Removal Management Level (RML) of 61 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
As a result, TDEC referred the site to the EPA Superfund Removal Program in 2014. EPA collected soil samples at two residential properties, including the property with arsenic at a concentration above the RML, as well as a playground at a church. The samples were analyzed for arsenic. All samples contained arsenic at concentrations below EPA RML. EPA designated the site no further action for removal eligibility under the Superfund Removal Program.
New advancements in residential soil sampling techniques will provide homeowners a better representation of potential soil contamination.
What is EPA doing now?
Timeline
EPA and the TDEC Division of Remediation will have an open house to share background information about the site and next steps, and answer questions. The open house is on March 18, 2024, at the Lester Community Center (317 Tillman Street) from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. In addition to EPA and TDEC, staff from the following agencies will be at the open house to assist with answering questions:
- TDEC Office of External Affairs
- Tennessee Department of Health
- Shelby County Health Department
EPA is offering soil sampling at no cost to homeowners and tenants in the study area (see map below). The sampling will take place during the week of April 15, 2024, and will inform any additional steps needed to protect human health and the environment.
Samples will be collected from residential properties where access agreements have been obtained. The samples will be collected from yards, and tenants/homeowners do not have to be present. Soil samples will be collected using incremental soil sampling methodology (ISM). This technique provides homeowners a better representation of potential soil contamination. See the YouTube video below for a demonstration of ISM sampling.
https://youtu.be/Fa_SQ118C0U?t=13
Results should be available by late summer 2024. Soil sampling results will be shared directly with individual tenants/homeowners. EPA will use the test results to determine the appropriate path forward.
About Lead and Arsenic
At this time, the metals of interest are lead and arsenic, but other heavy metals may be present. You can find more information about the health effects of lead and arsenic and how to protect your family online at:
Lead – www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts13.pdf
Arsenic – www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts2.pdf
If you have additional questions about the health effects of lead or how to protect your family, you can contact the Shelby County Health Department, Environmental Health Services at (901) 222-9592 or the Tennessee Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at (615) 253-0005.