East Avenue Study Area: Current Status
During the week of October 28, 2024, the EPA collected soil samples from residential properties in the Study Area to investigate soil contamination. The EPA planned to return in mid-December 2024 to collect additional soil samples from properties that were unable to be scheduled during the week in October. However, due to heavy snowfall in Erie over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the EPA postponed the additional soil sample collections until late March or early April 2025. The EPA and EPA contractors will coordinate with property owners as soil sampling in the Study Area continue. The purpose of this investigation is to gather information to determine the need for further action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and the focus is on assessing the potential impact of air emissions on soil within the Study Area. The goals of this investigation are to:
- Collect soil samples on residential and commercial areas inside the Study Area to see if contaminants may have come from the former Erie Coke facility. The EPA will look for contaminants like heavy metals including chromium, arsenic and lead, or semivolatile organic compounds such as naphthalene or benzo(a)pyrene.
- Compare soil samples to background levels. “Background” refers to locations that are not influenced by the Erie Coke facility or refers to levels that may naturally occur.
- Determine if contaminants are present in the soil that may pose a threat to human health and the environment, and
- Decide next steps for the Study Area.
If the EPA finds levels of soil contamination that pose a threat to human health and the environment, they may take further action. One example of further action may be that the EPA would redefine the boundaries of the Study Area based on the results of soil samples. The EPA is working on finalizing the results of the October 2024 soil samples and will mail results letters to participating property owners in late spring or early summer. Results for the upcoming March and April 2025 sampling will be available for participating property owners later in 2025.
The EPA finalized a Field Sampling Plan for the East Avenue Study Area in June 2024. This Field Sampling Plan outlines specific procedures for collecting samples, methods of analysis, and quality control requirements among other items.