Texas Vermiculite Dallas Site - Phase 1: Assessment

Scroll Down For More Information

Site Background

The Texas Vermiculite facility was previously located at 2651 Manila Road in Dallas, Texas. The vermiculite processing plant operated on a 1.7-acre lot between 1953 to 1992. Milled vermiculite was heated and expanded (also known as “exfoliation”) for use as an additive in potting-soil products, fireproofing material, and various concrete aggregate products. The facility received 396,000 tons of vermiculite ore from the Zonolite Mine in Libby, Montana. This vermiculite ore was contaminated with asbestos, which may have subsequently released into the environment during the exfoliation process. Today the site is under light industrial use, and much of the area around the former facility is redeveloped. Redeveloped areas with removed soil and covered with concrete and asphalt are less likely to present a health risk.

Previous Site Actions

The former owner of the Texas Vermiculite facility, W.R. Grace & Co. (W.R. Grace), ceased operations at the facility in 1992. Grace removed the processing equipment from the site in 1997, and then in 2001 they demolished the buildings on the site, excavated and removed the building foundations and soil down to approximately 1 foot, backfilled the excavation area with clean soil, and graded and seeded the area.

After this cleanup, the site remained vacant for several years and the property was subsequently sold. The property is currently being used as a cement production facility.

In 2001, before W.R. Grace conducted the building demolition and excavation work described above, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a minor investigation of the location and collected a limited number of soil samples at the former exfoliation facility. Asbestos was detected in four of eight on-site soil samples. The asbestos detections were found on the north side of the property, along the railroad spur.  

Current Actions

EPA is currently working with W.R. Grace to conduct a comprehensive asbestos site evaluation of soils at and near the facility to determine whether action may be necessary to protect public health and the environment. EPA is currently

Personnel examining a soil core sample

working with W.R. Grace to send site access agreement forms to property owners in the surrounding area for permission to collect soil and air samples.

Activity Based Sampling Activities

If the site assessment determines it is necessary, soil that presents a potential risk to the public would be removed and backfilled with clean soil during a second phase of the project.

View of a Drilling Rig

Asbestos Information

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was commonly used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. Because of its fiber strength and heat-resistant properties, asbestos was used for a wide range of manufactured goods.

Asbestos causes cancer and other diseases. Asbestos fibers are a risk to human health when they are stirred up and become airborne making them easy to inhale.

Documents

Versión en Español

Mike McAteer, Federal On-Scene Coordinator

US EPA, Region 6 1201 Elm Street Suite 500 (SEDER) (214) 354 9371 (mobile) (214) 665 715 (office) mcateer.mike@epa.gov

Personnel examining a soil core sample

Activity Based Sampling Activities

View of a Drilling Rig