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FACT SHEET REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION/ FEASIBILITY STUDY SDMS Document 115614 Virgin Island /Island Chemical Site Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S Virgin Island EPA Region 2 December 1994 PURPOSE OF FACT SHEET The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to conduct a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) at the kVirgin Island Chemical Superfund Site (the Site) in St. Croix, U.S. 'virgin Islands. The purpose of the RI/FS is to characterize the nature and extent of contamination at the Site, if any. This fact sheet includes a brief Site history, a description of current proposed RI/FS activities, and information on places to visit and persons to contact for additional information. PUBLIC MEETING EPA is holding a public meeting to present the Work Plan for the RI/FS on January , 1995 at the University of the Virgin Island, at 7 p.m. All interested parties and Chistiansted area residents are welcome. SITE BACKGROUND The Island Chemical/Virgin Island Chemical Site is an approxi- mately 3.5-acre facility located in the southwest portion of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The surrounding area is predominantly commercial, with five businesses located adjacent to the site and the closest resident located approximately 0.1 mile to the south. An intermittent stream. River Gut, which originates north ofthe site and discharge to the Caribbean Sea, borders the northem and eastem Site boundaries. The Site is owned by Charles H. Steffey, Inc. The Site has been leased to various chemical manufacturers throughout its history. On May 1, 1969 Steffey leased the property to Houston Chemical Industries, Inc. Houston Chemical assigned the lease to Caribe Chemical Company Inc., (subsequently known as Pierrel America, Inc.) on March 20, 1972. On June 30, 1978 Pierrel America assigned the ground lease to Cooper Laborato- ries, Inc. (Cooper). On October 30,1979 Cooper assigned the lease to its subsidiary. Island Chemical Company (ICC). On November 1, 1979 Cooper sold all of the stock of ICC to the predecessor of Berlex Laboratories, Inc. (Berlex). On September 14, 1984, ICC sold its assets to Virgin Island Chemical Company (VICC). The facility was used for the manufacture of pharmaceutical chemicals, primarily phenacetin, ethoxyquin, and quinidine. VICC produced benzyl acetate, which is used in perfumes, flavorings, resin, lacquers, printing inks, and vamish removers. In 1985, VICC also began producing benzyl salicylate, which is used as a perfume fixative, as a solvent for synthetic musk, and is an ingredient in sunscreening lotion. The Site is currently inactive. 1 0 . 0 0 7 2 Suoerfund Fact Siieet Virpin Island/Island Ctiemical Site -Ciiristiansted. St Croix, U. S. Virgin Island The Island Chemical Site was proposed to be added to the EPA's fNational Priorities List (NPL) in January 1994. The NPL is the nationwide list of hazardous waste sites that quality for federal Superfund cleanup. (the Order). The Order required Berlex and Island Chemical Company to conduct an RI/FS for the Site according to EPA guidelines and with EPA oversight. The RI/FS field activities will be conducted by harding Lawson Associates and Caribbean Hydro Tech, contractors for Berlex. PAST RESPONSE ACTIONS UPCOMING FIELD ACTIVITIES In September 1984, ICC hired a consultant to conduct an investiga- tion ofthe Site. Three areas of concem were identified during the investigation, including an 8,000-gallon process pit, the associated drainage line fi"om the pit to River Gut, and contaminated soil at various areas on-site. Soil samples collected between September 1984 and March 1986 indicated the presence of various organic compounds, including elevated levels of toluene and pyridine. All contaminated soil detected during the Site investigation was reported to have been either removed or treated on-site using biodegradation through soil manipulation On September 9, 1985 and on March 13, 1986, two separate Resource Conservation and Recovery Act enforcement inspections were conducted by EPA in order to verify the effectiveness of soil remediation. Samples were collected on both occasions. The anafytical results ofthese samples indicated the presence of phthalates, benzene, chloroform, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, along with chromium and zinc. REMOVAL ACTION fOn January 31 and February 1, 1989, the EPA conducted a prelimi- nary assessment and removal evaluation at the Site. At that time the laboratory/warehouse building was found to contain approximately 400 drums, some extremely deteriorated, leaking cylinder ofchlorine and hydrogen chloride, and over 800 containers of laboratory reagents that included sodium metal, potassium cyanide, and ethyl ether. EPA removed 205 S5-gallon dnuns, 40 85-gallon drums, and 9 5-gallon drums of various chemicals, and 8,061 pounds of lab pack chemicals from the laboratory/warehouse buildings. CURRENT ACTIVITIES On September 29, 1994, EPA , Island Chemical Company, and Berlex Laboratories, Inc. entered into an Adminisfi-ative Order on Consent, Index No. II CERCLA-94-0401 EPA has approved a Work Plan that outlines field activities to be conducted during the RI/FS at the Island Chemical Site. The RI will consist of a soil and ground water investigation to provide data regarding the soil and ground water quality. The soil investigation will include sampling and chemical analysis of 10 shallow and deep soil samples. These soil samples will be collected in the vertical intervals from land surface to the top ofthe water table. The groundwater investigation will include installation of five monitoring wells to measure groundwater levels and to collect groundwater samples. The monitoring wells will be sampled during two distinct groundwater sampling events. Water level measure- ments and survey data will be used to determine the direction of groundwater flow at the site. A risk assessment will then be performed using the data generated during the RI. The risk assessment is used to evaluate the potential risk to human health and the envirormient associated with current conditions. If the risk assessment indicates that the site pose a risk, then a FS will be prepare to outiine and evaluate altematives for cleaning up the Site. The field work for the Site is expected to begin on January 13, 1995 and continue until July, 1995. The RI/FS will continue throughout the winter and spring. FURTHER INFORMATION For more information about the RI/FS activities at the Island Chemical Site, please contact: 1 0 . 0 0 7 3 EPA Region II - November, 1994 Suoerfund Fact Sheet Virpin Island/Island Chemical Site -Christiansted. St Croix, U.S. Viroin Island > Sherrel Henry Remedial Project Manager U.S.EPA, Region II 26 Federal Plaza, Room 737 New York, New York 10278 (212)264-8675 or Lillian Johnson, Chief Community Relations Branch U.S.EPA, Region II 26 Federal Plaza, Room Room 1147 New York, New York 10278 (212)264-7054 If you would like to be added to the mailing list for the Site and receive future fact sheets, please send your name and address to Lillian Johnson. INFORMATION REPOSITORIES Site-related documents regarding the Island Chemical Site are presentiy available for review at the following repository: The University ofthe West Indies Library Christiansted, St Croix U.S Virgin Island, 00820 Contact: or Hours: Cecil A. Williams Environmental Specialist II Department of Planning and Natural Resources Water GutHomes-1118 Christiansted, St. Croix U.S. Virgin Island 00820-5065 1 0 . 0 0 7 4 EPA Region II November, 1994