Painesville

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The Painesville site (formerly the Diamond Magnesium Company) is located at 720 Fairport­Nursery Road in Painesville, Ohio, approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) northeast of Cleveland. About a third of the site was originally covered by large buildings and rail lines. Some of the original buildings have been removed, but others are still in use by the current owner, the Uniroyal Chemical Company. The property also contains a waste lake west of the buildings and several lagoons formerly used for sludge and equalization. The site covers approximately 60 hectares (150 acres).

FACILITY MISSION

Low­level radioactive contamination at the Painesville site consists of uranium­contaminated material; the estimated total waste volume is 53,000 cubic meters (69,000 cubic yards). Contamination originated from approximately 725 metric tons (800 tons) of radioactively contaminated scrap steel that the Atomic Energy Commission shipped from the Lake Ontario Storage Area to the Diamond Magnesium Company for use in magnesium production processes. Scrap steel that was not used immediately was stored in an area on the western side of the property, near the railroad tracks, and possibly at other onsite locations. The radioactive contamination was incidental to the use of the scrap metal, which was generated from discarded iron drums previously used to store uranium compounds associated with pitchblende operations. The site was included in FUSRAP in 1992. The Department of Energy's present objective at the site is to eliminate or reduce the potential for exposure to radioactive contaminants.

Based on current use, the Painesville site has a low priority for cleanup because it poses no immediate health risk to the public, the environment, or individuals who access the area. Although the site is currently operating as an industrial facility, it would be highly unlikely that an individual working in or frequenting the contaminated areas would sustain significant radiation exposure.

FUTURE USE

The site will be released for use with no radiological restrictions after completion of remedial action. This baseline assumes that use of the site will continue to be Industrial/Commercial.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION

This report assumes that environmental restoration of the Painesville site will include disposition of approximately 53,000 cubic meters (69,000 cubic yards) of contaminated soil. This baseline assumes that remediation will be conducted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act protocol for remediation of low-level radioactive contamination at FUSRAP sites and the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. As required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the development of remediation goals for the site incorporates the applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements of federal and state laws.

Key regulators are Environmental Protection Agency Region V, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Department of Health, and local governments as appropriate. Other potential regulatory drivers include the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. Environmental documentation integrating Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and National Environmental Policy Act requirements is expected to consist of a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study-Environmental Impact Statement. The schedule for final cleanup depends on funding and the issuance of a Record of Decision, as required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act/National Environmental Policy Act process.

ASSESSMENT

A radiological survey of surface and subsurface areas in 1990 detected the primary contaminants at the site (uranium­238 and radium­226) at concentrations exceeding current guidelines. Widespread radioactive contamination was found outdoors within facility property boundaries, and elevated radionuclide concentrations were discovered in a small area on the nearby Lonza Chemical Company property. Relatively high concentrations of lead were found in a soil sample that also contained elevated levels of radium­226; this observation is typical of residues from pitchblende operations. In 1988, a preliminary radiological survey identified uranium­238 and radium­226 at concentrations above guidelines in soil samples from the area west of the buildings near the railroad car spill containment basin.

Previous field investigations at the Painesville site included radiological surveys in 1988 and 1990. The preliminary survey in 1988 included a gamma scan of selected portions of the property and collection of surface and subsurface soil samples. No indoor survey measurements were performed. The 1990 investigation included a gamma scan of the ground surface in accessible areas throughout the Uniroyal property and over a 15-meter (50­foot) wide strip of land on the Lonza property adjacent to the property line; gamma radiation measurements; collection and radiological analysis of systematic and biased samples of surface and subsurface soils; collection and analysis of soil samples from auger holes and gamma logging of the holes; direct gamma radiation measurements within three buildings formerly used for magnesium reduction processing; and analysis of a radioactive rock sample by thermal emission mass spectrometry.

The radiological characterization identified widespread radioactive contamination outdoors on the Uniroyal property and elevated radionuclide concentrations in a small area on the Lonza property. The contamination on the Uniroyal property was found in two large areas reportedly used for storage of scrap metal and in numerous smaller areas and isolated spots throughout the site. Elevated radium­226 and thorium­230 concentrations were found in both surface and subsurface soil on both properties. Detailed characterization, including drilling and sampling, will be conducted before cleanup begins.

REMEDIAL ACTION

The Department of Energy has not yet conducted any remedial action at the Painesville site. The selection of a preferred cleanup option will depend on results from the upcoming characterization, which will provide further information about the nature and extent of contamination and site­specific waste management requirements. The scenario used for the Baseline Environmental Management Report cost estimate assumes excavation of contaminated soils and disposal by consolidation and onsite capping. Responsibility for long­term surveillance and monitoring of an assumed total volume of 53,000 cubic meters (69,000 cubic yards) of low­level waste would transfer to the Grand Junction Projects Office in FY 2011.

In the very near future, Uniroyal plans to install a new above-ground storage tank in or near the contaminated area. This construction effort will involve soil disturbance. The soils that are excavated for a concrete foundation pad will be consolidated, surrounded with a berm to reduce potential runoff, kept covered to prevent spread of contaminants, and monitored. This low­level waste will remain covered until completion of the onsite cap.

FUNDING ESTIMATE

The following table presents estimated funding information for the Painesville site.