15032_800 Chatham_assessment and corrective action letter Western Electric 4-18-11

Additional Assessment: Western Electric/Chatham Mill Brownfields Site
Winston-Salem, Forsyth County
NCBP Project # 14033-10-34

This site has had a varied and complicated history of uses over many decades and the processes and
chemicals that were used are not well documented, particularly for the activities conducted by the Navy
and their contractors. The uses include: decades of storage and burning of coal and fuel oil; multiple
USTs (one or more may remain on site); manufacturing and dyeing of wool and polyester textiles;
drycleaning using perchloroethene; metal plating; battery manufacturing and filling; paint
manufacturing; metal painting using spray booths; manufacturing weapons components such as
detonators, switches and fuses; manufacturing circuit boards and other electronic/communications
equipment; testing (including detonation) of fuses and possibly other weapons related materials; and
military research and development laboratories (1940s to mid-1960s)I have done some limited research
and consulted with others more experienced than I in the field of explosives and weapons. Also please
keep in mind that the proposed reuse for mixed uses, including high density residential use.

The following reflects my current thinking, based on limited data, on the additional testing requirements
needed for the NCBP to consider the site properly assessed. This is only a non-binding opinion, based on
my current level of understanding and I am open to discussion on the scope of work for further
assessment in order to determine if the need for some of the testing can be eliminated or reduced.

This additional testing is needed to provide the NCBP with information on what environmental
contamination is present so that appropriate risk-based corrective actions and mitigation measures can
be determined. Be aware, however, that the assessment results may trigger the need for further
testing. Where at all possible at this early phase, I have also provided an idea of the types of corrective
actions [including vapor intrusion (VI) mitigation] I foresee being needed in order to make this property
safe for reuse as a mixed-use, high-density residential property.

1) I don’t recall when the two fire suppression lagoons were filled in but those made very
convenient “go away” holes for disposing of unwanted waste and chemicals. I would like to see
a couple soil samples and one (if they were very close together) or 2 groundwater samples
collected from the former location and analyzed for volatile organics (VOCs), semi-volatile
organics (SVCOs), PCBs and RCRA metals.
2) Because the facility was used to make electrical components, switches, batteries and detonators
(which I am trying to find out more about from DOD contacts) we need to do some metals
testing.
3) Need gw sample north of dye house
4) Need to know where the small metal room in bldg. 8 (that was used for testing detonators)
exhausted to gas from the explosion. The narrative states that the exhaust from the explosions
was vented to the outside. The soil in the closest to where the exhaust was vented needs to be
tested for explosives, metals and whatever else I learn may need to be tested for when I hear
back from the DOD people. (A radiation survey needs to be done in this location also.)
5) We would like to see a radiation (alpha, beta and gamma) to be done north of bldg 8, 6, 23 and
4 (where bldg. 7 is as it appears it’s sleighted to come down) and, possibly, and on the soil from
borings in the former lagoons (depending on when they were filled in).
6) Bldg 7 was used by military or their contractors to fill batteries. They called it the acid room.
We need to test the soil now or after it is demo’d fro metals and gw for VOCs.
7) I would like a gw sample collected just south of bldg 4 and from the southeast corner of the
property (just east of bldg. 3) to look for VOCs that could be under buildings 3, 4, 6 and 8, from
either on site or offsite upradient sources).
8) Bldg 15,We will want testing of soil out “back door or doors” (wherever they appear to be) of
soil for metals due to plating operations and missile assembly in the 1940s. Want a gw well just
north of bldg 15??
9) Bldg 21. Centrifuge, impact room and vibration room in basement. Test areas and atmospheric
chambers on first floor. Rad study
10)