NCD980602163_19970123_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_Proposed Air Sampling for PCB Impacts-OCR

Barnes, Ferland and Associates, Inc.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mike Kelly
Working Group
Joel Hirschhorn
FROM: Pat Barnes
DATE: January 23 , 1997
SUBJECT: Proposed Air Sampling for PCB Impacts
To formalize what we discussed Tuesday, prior to the Working Group meeting, I feel that more
focus should be given to the need for immediate sediment samples. As you know, the air is a very
dynamic media and the results of any analysis performed, unless positive, will be inconclusive.
Moreover, a negative sample will yield no new information on potential past releases. Perhaps the
best reason for performing air analysis now is to begin to establish a baseline of air quality data
within the vicinity of the landfill, which will be a very valuable tool for future impact assessments.
With that in mind, it is therefore very important that the locations and analytical approach
established today be well thought out and as comprehensive as possible, because future changes
to the plan, unless additive, should be minimal.
In our conversation, I recommended, and you concurred, that an additional location be added to
cover potential discharges in the vicinity of the leachate treatment systems. Like the main gas
vent, the septic tank vaults and effluent discharge line have a direct connection to the landfill
waste material. It may be prudent that the lids to the concrete vaults be redesigned to be air tight
or fitted with gaskets to minimize the potential for PCB vapor discharges. A filter may also be
necessary on the effluent outlet pipe, or any other gas release point of the treatment system.
Concern over the environmental impact of past releases at this point can be best addressed by the
collection of sediment samples at surface water flow choke points. There should be several such
areas within close proximity of the facility.
Mike, you have agreed that this effort makes good sense, however you suggested that it be
addressed as a part of the full sampling. Since well drilling will not begin until early next month,
and because samples will not be collected until after the new wells are installed, which is likely 30
to 45 days later, I recommend that we consider collecting sediment samples concurrent with the
proposed air samples. The locations can be selected after one field day's work within the coming
week.
Please give me a call to discuss this matter.
PAB/psgll-23MKJ.doc
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