Electro-Plating Services Emergency Response

EPA assists Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) with assessing release of hexavalent chromium

Image depicting release along I-696.

Electro-Plating Services Site

On December 20, 2019, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) requested EPA assistance to assess the release of an unknown volume of hexavalent chromium contaminated water from Electro-Plating Services in Madison Heights, Michigan. The goal of EPA’s involvement at the Electro-Plating Services site is to protect human health and the environment by assessing the extent and type of contamination and to coordinate with Michigan EGLE, Michigan Department of Transportation, and local agencies to limit any potential for human exposure. EPA’s Emergency Response Program coordinated an emergency action to remove contamination that was migrating off the property. 

Beginning on December 22, 2019, EPA collected soil and groundwater samples from dozens of locations near the former Electro-Plating Services facility to help determine the nature and extent of contamination from a release of chromium contaminated groundwater onto the embankment of I-696. 

Although measurements of hexavalent chromium, cyanide and trichloroethylene (TCE, also known as trichloroethene) are all high on the site when compared to standards, off-site and site edge measurements indicate that, at this time, contamination is largely contained by the emergency measures EPA has put in place. At this time, there is little risk of human exposure to these chemicals due to the security of the site and the measures currently in place. 

After evaluating several options, EPA and EGLE selected in-situ, or in-place, treatment as the longer-term remedy for groundwater contamination at the site. Treatment chemicals that degrade contaminants, called reagents, will be placed into the soil between the EPS building and the service drive, as well as along the top of the I-696 embankment. As groundwater naturally migrates through the soil, it will flow through the treatment areas, react with the chemical barrier, and the contaminants will be treated in place.  More about this treatment technology. 

Placement of the treatment chemicals was completed on a small scale in July 2020, and large-scale application of treatment chemicals was completed in September 2020. EPA conducted several rounds of sampling (in November 2020, December 2020, and February 2021) to ensure the treatment was effective. EPA transferred the site to EGLE in February 2021 to maintain the new treatment system. It is estimated that the treatment chemicals will need to be replaced every five to ten years in the treatment area north of the plating shop building, and every three to five years at the top of the embankment.

In late October 2020, EPA opened up the merge lane at I-696. In late April 2021, EPA fully-opened up both the I-696 exit ramp and the service drive.

This web page and the interactive map provided below are intended to provide more information about the measures we have put in place, our sampling methods, and the data we have collected. For more information about EPA’s response, please see  Electro-Plating Services - I696 Release Site .

Electro-Plating Services Emergency Response Measures

The site has been secured with fencing to restrict access and protect the work area.

Image depicting sump pump installation.

Image depicting sump pump installation.

As an interim measure to keep contaminants from flowing off-site and entering the sewer system, EPA contractors dug an interceptor trench that diverts contaminated groundwater into large tanks for proper disposal.

On October 18, 2020, EPA stopped containerizing recovery water. The I-696 pump is the only pump in operation, which is currently recirculating recovered water into the interceptor trench to allow the water to undergo additional in-situ treatment. All of the 353,879 gallons of contaminated water recovered by sump pumps in the basement of the facility, the interceptor trench, and the sump at the bottom of the embankment along I-696 has been properly disposed off-site. 

In-situ Treatment Injections 

Pilot Study

During the week of July 13, 2020, EPA completed small-scale injections at the site, as part of the in-situ treatment pilot study. The purpose of the pilot study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed in-situ treatment, and to provide lessons learned to maximize the effectiveness of the full-scale injections.  

As part of the pilot study, EPA injected 1,380 gallons of treatment chemical slurry (solid/liquid mix) across 11 injection locations between the site building and the service drive, with injections applied from 5 to 9 feet deep. Two soil borings were used to confirm slurry was placed throughout the target injection depths. In addition, 700 gallons of liquid treatment chemicals were gravity-fed into three newly- installed permanent injection wells at the top of the I696 embankment. Finally, 1,030 gallons of liquid treatment chemical was gravity-fed into the basement sump. 

EPA collected two rounds of groundwater samples (1- and 2-week post-treatment) to evaluate the effectiveness of the small-scale in-situ treatment. The post-treatment data for the pilot study is currently undergoing evaluation to aid the implementation of the full-scale in-situ treatment. 

Full-Scale Injections

From September 8 through 29, EPA completed the proposed full-scale injections at the site, including 61 additional on-site points, 31 downgradient points, and injections into 12 permanent wells at the top of the I-696 embankment. EPA injected 5,980 gallons of treatment slurry (solid/liquid mix) on-site between the site building and the service drive, from 5 to 9 feet deep at each point. Downgradient, EPA injected 2,400 gallons of treatment slurry in the service drive. An additional 1,460 gallons of treatment chemicals were gravity-fed across 12 permanent wells at the top of the I-696 embankment, each well screened between 6 to 16 feet deep. Finally, 620 gallons of treatment liquid was gravity-fed into the on-site recovery well, and 615 gallons was gravity fed into the interceptor trench at the service drive.

EPA collected two groundwater samples weekly along the embankment to monitor levels of hexavalent chromium from September 25 to January 21, 2021. To monitor the performance of the treatment, EPA additionally collected eight to eleven groundwater samples during three sampling events: November 2, 2020, December 14, 2020, and February 4, 2021. Finally, EPA collected seven groundwater samples on December 15, 2020 to get an update of contaminant concentrations across the site. Hexavalent chromium levels at the embankment have already reduced below the treatment goals. The performance samples collected in November 2020, December 2020, and February 2021 show dramatic reductions in site contaminants. 

The site was transitioned to EGLE in February 2021, but due to cold temperatures, a few EPA activities were delayed until Spring 2021. In late-March and April 2021, EPA completed the following: placed In late-March and April 2021, EPA completed the following: placed additional treatment chemicals within the interceptor trench, filled both interceptor and I-696 sumps with gravel, restored the embankment at the I-696 sump, removed fencing around the interceptor trench, and restored the service drive road surface at the interceptor trench. Both the service drive and I-696exit ramp were opened to traffic in late-April. EPA’s site activities concluded in late-April 2021.

Disclaimer on Sampling Data: Sampling results are considered preliminary until data validation is complete. Data validation is ongoing.

What data was collected? 

Since Dec. 20th, 2019, EPA has collected soil and groundwater samples from numerous locations near the site. EPA has collected 58 soil boring samples and 8 surface soil samples. Ten permanent monitoring wells and 46 temporary monitoring wells were installed. Approximately 132 groundwater samples have been collected from the various wells and sumps installed on site. EPA collected 49 water samples from the storm sewer and catch basins near the facility and the outlet to Bear Creek. Michigan EGLE has collected additional samples from storm sewers and from Bear Creek. Samples were analyzed for contaminants of concern, including chromium (trivalent and hexavalent), TCE, cyanide, and PFAS among others.

When TCE was discovered in the groundwater, EPA investigated whether TCE was in soil gas and whether it was affecting nearby businesses. Samples collected from the south side of east 10 Mile Road showed no elevated levels of TCE (or any other contaminant) in the soil or groundwater.

A vapor intrusion assessment has been performed in the business adjoining the plating facility. Three rounds of soil gas, indoor, and ambient outdoor air samples have been collected and analyzed. Results show that although there are contaminants in the soil gas under the building, the gas is not entering the building. An investigation for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) was also conducted in response to cyanide levels detected in groundwater samples, though the compound was not detected in the air and soil gas samples collected. As of July 31st, 41 air samples have been collected from ten locations.   

Why was it collected? 

Samples were collected and analyzed to determine the nature and extent of contamination from a seepage of green liquid from the Electro-Plating property onto the shoulder of I-696. Testing showed the green liquid was contaminated with hexavalent chromium, TCE, cyanide and other metals. Soil and groundwater samples were collected as part of EPA’s initial site characterization.

What does it tell us?

Testing helps determine the levels of contamination in soil and groundwater, how far the contaminants have spread and where they are traveling to.

Image depicting trenching operation during response activities.

Image depicting trenching operation during response activities.

The air around the shoulder of the highway was monitored by first responders when the substance was first discovered on Dec. 20, 2019. No air quality hazards were identified. Soil samples collected from the highway embankment where the green liquid appeared on the shoulder showed hexavalent chromium, multiple heavy metals and other contaminants at levels below the threshold for direct human contact.

Groundwater samples collected between the building and the I-696 service drive show elevated levels of hexavalent chromium, TCE and cyanide – all chemicals previously used by Electro-Plating Services.

Testing of storm sewer water near the site showed levels of hexavalent chromium at 140 micrograms per liter (ug/L), above the standard for drinking water (100 ug/L). The storm sewer eventually enters Lake St. Clair miles away.

Information on Chromium:

Exposure to hexavalent chromium has been linked to lung, nasal and sinus cancers, kidney and liver damage, nasal and skin irritation and ulceration, and eye irritation and damage. Hexavalent chromium has been detected in the shallow groundwater at the Electro-Plating Services site, however the detections have been in shallow groundwater which is not used as a drinking water source in the area. Therefore, there is no health risk attributed from potential ingestion of the shallow groundwater contamination.

Image depicting stormwater drain pumping activities.

Image depicting stormwater drain pumping activities.

Information on Cyanide:

Exposure to cyanide has been linked to brain and heart damage. Cyanides have been detected in the surface soils at the site along the highway embankment at levels that do not present a direct contact threat. The embankment is not accessible by the public and is not considered a complete exposure pathway. 

Information on TCE: 

TCE exposure may result in liver and kidney damage and/or cancer and there is some evidence that exposure to TCE can impact the development of the heart in the fetus of an exposed mother. TCE has been found in shallow groundwater above EPA and EGLE screening levels. Additional investigation is ongoing to determine if a complete exposure pathway to the public exists.

What is GSI? 

The groundwater-surface water interface, or GSI, is the level of a contaminant in groundwater allowed to be released to a surface water body, such as a creek, river, or a lake. The number is established by EGLE and tells us what is safe for a typical human and animal exposed to surface water. 

What is an RML? 

A Regional Removal Management Level, or RML, is the level a contaminant needs to exceed in order for a site to be considered by EPA for an emergency cleanup action. It is a risk-based number calculated by EPA. Sites with pollutant concentrations above the RMLs may not necessarily justify a cleanup action, depending on other factors such as background concentrations or site-specific exposure scenarios.  

Electro-Plating Services ER Data Viewer

ArcGIS Web Application

Image depicting sump pump installation.

Image depicting trenching operation during response activities.

Image depicting stormwater drain pumping activities.