Davidson Community Asbestos Site
A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Removal Action in a joint effort with the NC Department of Environmental Quality and Town of Davidson
History
From the 1930s until the 1960s, Carolina Asbestos Company operated at 301 Depot Street in Davidson, North Carolina.
Asbestos-containing waste material remained uncovered at the property until 1984. It was reported that asbestos-containing material had been removed from the manufacturing location and used as fill at neighboring properties. Until 1984, anyone could have obtained the asbestos-containing material to use on their property.
In 1984, under the supervision of the North Carolina Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Human Services, the then-owner placed an engineered soil cap over the disposal area.
In September of 2016, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Brownfields Program held a public information session about plans for a multi-story mixed use redevelopment of the property. At the time, neighbors voiced concerns about potential asbestos exposure during construction.
In October of that same year, a flood caused a breach of the existing soil cover and released asbestos fibers into the street bordering the property, further raising awareness and concern in the community.
What is Asbestos?
Image from the Public Health Image Library.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral made up of thin, heat resistant, strong, flexible and very durable fibers and was used widely in industry from the early 1900’s to the 1970’s. Asbestos fibers are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
Asbestos fibers may be released into the air by the disturbance of asbestos-containing material during product manufacturing, demolition work, building or home maintenance, repair, remodeling or when soil containing asbestos fibers are disturbed during yard work or recreational activities.
- People living near the former Carolina Asbestos Company may be exposed to asbestos in the air if soil was/is disturbed and buried asbestos is released.
- Exposure would occur only when the asbestos-containing material is disturbed in some way to release asbestos fibers into the air.
For information about asbestos and your health see below.
Environmental Protection Agency's Involvement
Because of the residents’ concerns expressed in 2016, NC DEQ requested assistance from the EPA, who then offered to test soil at residential properties near to the Davidson Depot Site for possible asbestos.
Inspection by the EPA identified asbestos-containing material at neighboring properties. Between November 1, 2016 and May 16, 2017, the EPA’s Emergency Response, Removal, Prevention and Preparedness Branch conducted soil sampling at those properties.
Between November 1, 2016 and May 16, 2017, the EPA conducted soil sampling at 93 neighboring properties.
Thirty-two residential properties had soil results at or above the EPA health risk-based level.
The map to the right shows the results of 2017 sampling activities.
The EPA removed the top one-to-two feet of asbestos-contaminated soil, marked the end of the excavation and installed clean fill and sod at those 32 properties.
From May 15 through August 22, 2017, the EPA removed approximately 6,204 tons of asbestos-contaminated waste and disposed of it at an EPA-approved landfill.
This picture shows the process of excavating the top one-to-two feet of contaminated soil.
The orange material (fencing) marks the limit of the soil that may have asbestos. Soil above the fencing material is asbestos-free.
One-to-two feet of clean soil was placed over the orange fencing.
The clean soil was then covered with grass.
On January 25, 2018, the EPA sent letters to the 32 property owners stating the removal work was complete and that “No Further Action” was planned for their properties.
Summary of 2017 EPA Asbestos Testing and Removal Work
Purple: Tested above EPA health risk-based levels, and asbestos was removed.
Blue: Tested below EPA health risk-based levels for asbestos.
At the same time residential sampling and remediation was going on, NC DEQ's Division of Waste Management oversaw the installation of an improved soil cap over the asbestos disposal area by the owners of the 301 Depot Street property.
This improved cap is a temporary measure until the site is redeveloped through the Brownfields Program to provide for a permanently maintained hard cover.
Brownfields Project
When the first Brownfields applicant decided not to redevelop the site, a second applicant came into the program and proposed a more modest repurposing of existing structures on the property.
This image is a draft of the proposed project.
This new plan does not require excavation of the disposal area. It requires a retaining wall, more clean soil and gravel fill, and a paved cap over the disposal area that will be used as parking.
This is a representation of the proposed design showing the parking area.
The Brownfields Program staff and the developer presented these plans at a public information session on December 9, 2019.
Fact Sheets About the 2017 Sampling Effort
NC DEQ and EPA's 2020 Expanded Sampling Effort
DEQ’s Division of Waste Management hosted a public information meeting on January 13, 2020 to present a plan to manage the asbestos issue and promote awareness in the community. This proposed plan defined an “Asbestos Watch Area” where digging or demolition activities would be monitored in the neighborhood. Anyone conducting digging or demolition activities would be advised to consult with state or local officials to ensure such activities would not expose people to asbestos fibers.
This map shows the properties that were sampled and remediated in 2017.
Properties that tested at or above the EPA’s health risk-based exposure limit and that were remediated are shown in purple. Properties that were sampled and no remediation was needed are shown in blue.
During the January 13, 2020 meeting, residents asked for more sampling over a larger area and sampling of properties that were not tested in 2017.
NC DEQ and EPA expanded the asbestos-soil sampling area in the neighborhood surrounding the former Carolina Asbestos Company in response to community concerns.
Click on the button below to see a map of the 2020 targeted expanded area.
EPA offered free soil sampling to properties that were not sampled in 2017 within the expanded area.
Outreach activities to request access to yard sampling included:
- Mailing letters to owners and residents;
- Hosting virtual community meetings through Zoom;
- Passing out flyers around the neighborhood by EPA and Town of Davidson's staff; and
- Talking to neighbors while the EPA staff was in town conducting sampling of properties
Click on the button below to see the properties that provided access to sampling and the results of the 2020 sampling effort.
Soil Sampling Activities
EPA contractors collecting soil samples.
Soil samples are placed in a Ziploc bag.
Cleaning of soil sampling instruments.
Property access authorizations, factsheets and mailers that were sent out on April 24, 2020
Stay Informed
What was the Environmental Protection Agency doing within this area of the Town of Davidson? Click below for more information.
What is the NC Department of Environmental Quality doing within this area of the Town of Davidson? Click below for more information.
What is the Town of Davidson doing in this area? Click below for more information.
View the final results of remediation activities by visiting this map
Blue: Properties tested in 2017 that were below EPA health risk-based level. Remediation was not needed.
Green: Properties tested in 2020 that were below EPA health risk-based levels. Remediation was not needed.
Purple: Properties were above EPA health risk-based levels and asbestos was removed.
Updated on 9/28/2022
