gM, UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Sans REGION Ill S 3 1650 Arch Street SZ 8 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2029 PR 28 2017 4 mnex The Honorable Robert P. Casey, Jr. U.S. Senate 393 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Casey: hank you for your April 3, 2017 letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt concerning the March 13, 2017 report entitled, “Reading, Pennsylvania Exide Source Footprint Study.” As you point out, this study investigated the levels of lead in soil in the neighborhood surrounding the Exide Technologies (Exide) lead smelter in Laureldale, PA. The study was conducted by Metropolitan State University of Denver in collaboration with the Reading Eagle newspaper. Since 2000, EPA Region III has been engaged with Exide and the community in the investigation and the cleanup of lead contamination in the residential, recreational, and commercial properties surrounding the Exide facility. In 2000, EPA ordered Exide to investigate the extent of soil lead levels in Laureldale Borough and Muhlenberg Township, The investigation, comprised of over 12,000 samples, was completed in 2002. Of the 600 properties screened, 221 were identified as needing cleanup. Ultimately, 220 residential properties were cleaned by the excavation and removal of contaminated soil. ‘The remaining individual property ‘owner refused multiple requests for property access. All 220 properties were restored with clean soil and new landscaping. In addition to the residential property cleanups, in 2012, 25 acres of Bernhart Park were cleaned to the same residential standard and the Park was reopened in 2013. EPA also continues to direct and oversee the evaluation and potential remedial action at three commercial properties, ten undeveloped parcels and the 50-acte smelter property itself. (On March 15, 2017, EPA obtained a copy of the Metropolitan State University report, which presented data on soil lead levels from independent sampling conducted by the University and the Reading Eagle in May and July of 2016. EPA has reviewed the report and understands the concern that seven residential properties sampled by the university in Laureldale Borough and Muhlenberg Township showed elevated lead levels. Printed on 100% recycled/reeyclable paper with 100% post-consumer fiber and process chlorine free. Customer Service Hotline: 1-800-438-2474EPA remains committed to protecting the residents of Laureldale Borough and Muhlenberg Township from the impacts of past lead emissions from the Exide smelter. Region Lis preparing to conduct sampling in the area in which the University conducted its program. We are aware that some of the sample locations are outside the impact area we originally identified in 2002. Thus, our sampling will have two goals: one, to determine if the extent of contamination extends beyond the established Exide impact area; and two, to determine if properties sampled by the University have been impacted by Exide. We are in contact with some of the residents whose properties were sampled by the University and expect to be in the field within 30 days, We will take appropriate action to address any results of concern that can be attributed to Exide. In 2007, EPA approved a site-specific cleanup level of 650 mg/kg soil lead for the Exide impact area based on site-specific data collected for that purpose. This data included soil sampling, indoor dust sampling, tap water, and blood lead sampling of children residing in the area, ‘The data was applied to an EPA approved risk assessment model that calculated 650 mg/kg as the appropriate soil lead cleanup level. We believe that soil lead cleanup level remains protective for young children in the Exide impact site. We also know from our previous investigations that actual blood lead levels in the area did not exceed the CDC reference level of 5 micrograms per deciliter (g/dL). The geometric mean blood Pb levels for resident children and visitor children in the Exide Study Area are 2.4 ug/d and 3.1 ug/dL., respectively. In response to new science, EPA’s Office of Research and Development is updating the bio-kinetic model used to derive soil cleanup levels at cleanup sites nation-wide. ‘This work is now under peer review and is expected to be available in approximately six months. Any modifications to cleanup levels resulting from this effort would be applied to sites across the country, including Exide. Based on the actual blood lead levels in the area, the cleanup level of 650 ppm soil lead remains protective. We have spoken to officials of both municipalities and will continue to apprise them of our progress. Our Pennsylvania Liaison, Ms. Kinshasa Brown, will keep your office updated as ‘we work through this program. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or have your staff contact Ms. Brown at 215-814-5404. Sincerely, Cecil Rodrigues Acting Regional Administrator Printed on 100% recycled/reeyclable paper with 100% post-consumer fiber and process chlorine free. Customer Service Hotline: 1-800-438-2474