ANACONDA WIRE FACT SHEET
APRIL 2014 UPDATE
PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSIONS SCHEDULED
Chapman University has scheduled two information sessions to provide additional information
about the ongoing work on this project. The first of these sessions is scheduled for April 4,
2014, and is open to Chapman University students and faculty. The second session will be on
April 17, 2014 and is open to the public. Please see the attached notices for additional
information, including the timing and location of these meetings.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INDOOR AIR TESTING AT MARION KNOTT
STUDIOS
As described in the December 2013 Anaconda Wire Fact Sheet Update, in late December 2013,
Environmental Engineering & Contracting, Inc. (“”EEC”) began implementing work to test for
indoor air impacts in the Marion Knott Studios (“MKS”) building. This work was necessary
because the recent test results indicated the unexpected presence of industrial chemicals,
including trichloroethene (“TCE”) and carbon tetrachloride, in soil vapor around the MKS
building.
Indoor air sampling previously was conducted at MKS in March 2012 after the University
learned about contamination at the adjacent former Anaconda Wire Site and the presence of
tetrachloroethylene (“PCE”) on the eastern side of Cypress Street, adjacent to the MKS building.
The results of the March 2012 indoor air quality testing were consistent with typical outdoor and
indoor air quality measurements in Southern California and there were no indications that the
underground conditions related to the former Anaconda Wire Site were affecting aboveground
air quality.
On December 26, 2013, EEC collected 11 air samples from inside the MKS building and 3
outdoor air samples from around the MKS building and analyzed these samples for the presence
of industrial chemicals. Since the samples were taken, they have been analyzed, and a summary
report has been prepared by EEC. As in March 2012, the results of this air quality testing were
consistent with typical outdoor and indoor air quality measurements in Southern California, and
there were no indications that the underground conditions near the MKS building are affecting
air quality inside the MKS building.
Because the indoor and outdoor air testing was consistent with typical indoor and outdoor air
quality measurements in Southern California, there is no additional risk to students, faculty, staff,
or others who may go into the MKS building as a result of the unexpected presence of industrial
chemicals in soil vapor around the MKS building.
The results of this air quality testing have been reported to the regulatory agencies overseeing
activities at the former Anaconda Wire Site, including the Orange County Health Care Agency
(“OCHCA”) and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region
(“RWQCB”), and the report will be posted to anacondawiresite.com. OCHCA and RWQCB are
expected to review the results and direct any follow-up actions, if any, that might be needed.
SUPPLEMENTAL SOIL AND SOIL VAPOR INVESTIGATION AT MKS AND VPO
As part of the ongoing characterization of the former Anaconda Wire Site and surrounding
parcels, and at the direction of the oversight agencies, the Source Group has completed
additional soil testing on the MKS and Villa Park Orchards (“VPO”) properties and adjacent
areas. The VPO parcel is to the north of the former Anaconda Wire Site, across Palm Avenue.
The work involved the collection of soil and soil vapor samples in accordance with the
December 21, 2013 Supplemental Soil and Soil Investigation Work Plan prepared by Geosyntec.
Sampling and Results at VPO
At VPO, 11 soil borings were drilled, and soil samples were collected at 1 and 5 feet below
ground surface (“bgs”) and at multiple depths greater than 5 feet bgs. Soil vapor probes were
placed at multiple depths in 8 of 11 the borings, with the deepest soil vapor probes installed in
three of the borings at 30, 60, and 90 feet bgs. Soil samples were analyzed for volatile organic
compounds (“VOCs”), petroleum hydrocarbons, and organochlorine pesticides. Two samples
were also analyzed for Title 22 metals. The soil vapor samples were analyzed for VOCs.
The results of soil sampling at VPO indicated either no detectable, or low concentrations of,
industrial chemicals and organochlorine pesticides. No industrial chemicals or organochlorine
pesticides exceeded screening criteria approved by the oversight regulatory agencies. Metals
were present at concentrations consistent with background levels in Southern California soils.
Elevated concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons were found in soil beneath the former
ripening rooms located in the building at the southwest corner of VPO.
The results of soil vapor sampling at VPO showed that the types of chemicals found were
identical to those found at the former Anaconda Wire Site and included PCE, carbon
tetrachloride, TCE, and Freon. With the exception of Freon, the concentrations of the chemicals
at VPO were lower than maximum values registered at the former Anaconda Wire Site. Freon
was present at elevated concentrations in the shallowest soil samples, but at concentrations
significantly below health action levels.
Sampling and Results at MKS
At MKS, 8 soil borings were drilled to a depth of 90 feet bgs, and soil samples were collected 1
and 5 feet bgs, and at depths greater than 5 feet bgs. Soil vapor probes were installed at 5
multiple depths in 7 of the 8 borings, with depths ranging from 5 to 90 feet bgs. Additionally, 5
sub-slab soil vapor probes were installed inside the MKS building. Soil samples were analyzed
for VOCs, Title 22 Metals, and hexavalent chromium. Soil vapor samples, including the subslab vapor samples, were analyzed for VOCs.
The results of soil sampling at MKS indicated either no detectable, or low concentrations of,
industrial chemicals. No industrial chemicals exceeded screening criteria approved by the
oversight regulatory agencies. Metals were present at concentrations consistent with background
levels in Southern California soils except for arsenic, which had slightly elevated concentrations
in two soil samples collected one foot below the surface on the west side of the MKS building.
Both samples were collected beneath surface pavement (either concrete or asphalt) thus
eliminating any exposure risk.
The results of soil vapor sampling at MKS showed that the types of chemicals found were
identical as those found at the former Anaconda Wire Site and included PCE, carbon
tetrachloride, TCE, and Freon. The concentrations of the chemicals at MKS were lower than
maximum values registered at the former Anaconda Wire Site. The highest concentrations were
registered in soil vapor samples collected at depths between 15 and 20 feet, with the shallowest
soil vapor samples showing much lower concentrations.
The sub-slab soil vapor samples collected immediately beneath the MKS building contained no
detectable industrial chemicals. These results confirmed the results of the March and December
2013 indoor air surveys that demonstrated industrial chemicals are not affecting air quality in the
MKS building.
WHERE CAN I GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
For additional information, please contact Kris Olsen, Vice President of Campus Planning &
Operations, One University Dr., Orange, CA 92866, or at kolsen@chapman.edu or
714-744-7880.