Ye and Onatzevitch Consulting | 111 Quad DriveEaston, PA 18042

Seymour BuckmeisterPresident, Malls-R-UsMoraine, Drumlin

February 21, 2017

Subject: Letter of Transmittal

Dear Mr. Buckmeister,

Attached, please find the complete Phase I Environmental Site Assessment completed in relation to the Self-Lume, Incorporated property in Moraine, Drumlin. This report was prepared according to the standards specific in the ASTM E1527 guidelines. The purpose of this report is to identify recognized environmental conditions in connection with the Self-Lume property and present recommendations for further investigation, if necessary.

The conclusion of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment indicate the presence of several recognized environmental conditions. The capped well on the property, the existing sewage disposal system, and the presence of rusting gas pumps in the exterior area of the Self-Lume Factory are all causes for concern in terms of the Phase I Assessment. These RECs, in conjunction with a topographic and geologic condition which is conducive to water and contaminant transport, necessitate immediate investigation. It is our recommendation that these conditions be further investigation through the process of Phase II Environmental Site Assessment.

The following items are provided in conjunction with the Phase I Report:● Site Topographical Contour Map ● Bedrock Contour Map● Annotated Site Address Map and Site Grid Map● Water Table Contour Map● Water Quality Report Summary● Self-Lume Sewage Disposal System Application● Sewage Inspection Report● Relevant Newspaper Articles

Please contact us if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Lauren Onatzevitch, Cathy Ye

1

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

Self-Lume, Incorporated20 Loess Lane

Moraine, Drumlin

Prepared For:Mr. Seymour Buckmeister

President, Malls-R-Us

Prepared By:Ye and Onatzevitch Consulting

Cathy Ye and Lauren Onatzevitch

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

1.0 Executive Summary………….…………………………………………………….….…..…42.0 Physical Description of Self-Lume

Property……………………………………………….42.1 Physical Description of Contractual Site……………………………………….……..52.2 Subsurface Physical Description of Site………………………………………………52.3 Aquifer Physical Description………………………………………………………….6

3.0 Records Review………………………………...……………………………….…...….……63.1 Physical Setting Sources…………………………………………….………….……..63.2 Environmental Records Sources………………………………………………………73.3 Historical Use Information……………………………………...…………………….7

4.0 Site Reconnaissance……………………..………………………………………..………….84.1 Self-Lume Property……………………………………………...…………………….84.2 Adjacent Properties……………………………………………………………………9

5.0 Interviews……………..…………………………………………………………...………...105.1 Municipal Authority Interviews……………………………………………………...105.2 Moraine Residents Interviews………………………………………………………..11

6.0 Evaluation…………..……………………………………………………………...……..…126.1 Adjacent Property Analysis……………………………………………...……..……126.2 Recognized Environmental Conditions and Rationale……………………………....136.3 Budget Summary………………………………………………………………….…13

7.0 Non-Scope Considerations……………….…………………………………...………....…148.0 Appendices………….………………………………………………………………..…...…15

8.1 Site Topographical Contour Map……………………………………………..…...…158.2 Bedrock Contour Map………………………………………………………..………158.3 Annotated Site Address Map……………….…………………………………..……168.4 Water Table Contour Map……………………………………………………...

…….168.5 Water Quality Report Summary ………………………………...……………...……

178.6 Malls-R-Us Site Grid Map………………………………………………………...…198.7 ‘Doctor Still Haunted by Death of Patient’ Article ………………………...……….198.8 Moraine Purchase Order……………………………………………………......……198.9 Self-Lume Sewage Disposal System Application…………………………...………208.10 ‘IRS Explores Terrain’ Article……………………………………………………...218.11 Sanitary Inspection Report………………………………………………….………22

1.0 Executive Summary

3

The purpose of this investigation is to assess the presence of recognized environmental

conditions in conjunction with the Self-Lume Factory property and surrounding properties as

defined by the contractual agreement. This assessment was completed according to the

environmental site assessment procedure as defined by the ASTM E 1527 guidelines. The Self-

Lume property includes the now abandoned Self-Lume Factory, in which self-luminous safety

signs were produced since the company’s incorporation in 1974. The process used to create Self-

Lume signage involved the use of radioactive material, in which sealed glass tubes were filled

with tritium gas and coated with phosphor and the radiation emitted by the tritium stimulated the

phosphor to produce continuous illumination. Malls-R-Us President Seymour Buckmeister has

chosen to undergo this study in order to identify the presence or likely presence of hazardous

substances on the Self-Lume Property or surrounding properties.

The environmental site assessment that was performed by Ye and Onatzevitch Consulting

identified several recognized environmental conditions in conjunction with the Self-Lume

property and surrounding properties.

2.0 Physical Description of Self-Lume Property

The Self-Lume Property is located at 20 Loess Lane in Moraine, Drumlin. The central

building on the site, the abandoned Self-Lume Factory, is constructed primarily of cinder block.

The maximum topographic elevation on the Self-Lume Property is approximately 840 feet above

sea level. This elevation is greater than the majority of the township of Moraine, thus indicating

that potential releases on the Self-Lume property or surrounding properties would be able to

migrate towards decreasing elevations. The topographic map of the Self Lume Property can be

found in Appendix 8.1.

2.1 Physical Description of Contractual Site

4

The boundaries of the site as defined in the contract include the Self-Lume property and

any surrounding properties included on the Mall-R-Us site grid map with dimensions of 2000

feet by 3200 feet. This map can be found in Appendix 8.6. Additionally, the topographic map of

the Self-Lume Property and surrounding properties can be found in Appendix 8.1. The properties

included in the contractual site boundaries include the Self Lume Factory and the lot surrounding

the factory as indicated in the aforementioned site grid map. The bedrock elevations, water table

elevations, and topographic elevations of the property surrounding the Self-Lume Factory are

within the ranges indicated for the Self-Lume Property itself.

2.2 Subsurface Physical Description of Site

A complete map of the bedrock contours beneath the township of Moraine can be found

in the map in Appendix 8.2. The elevation of the underlying bedrock at the property ranges

between approximately 672 feet to 684 feet above sea level, as demonstrated in the

aforementioned map. Areas of lower bedrock elevation underlie the Northern part of the Self-

Lume property and extend towards the Southwestern corner of the Moraine township. Within

this area of lower bedrock elevation, the permeability of the soil is comparatively much greater

and therefore the propensity for water or liquids to migrate is much greater. This in turn

increases the potential for any contaminants that may have been released on the Self-Lume site

or surrounding properties to migrate towards the well in the Southwestern corner of Moraine.

Thus, a greater threat exists to the water supply due to the geological characteristics of the

contractual site and surrounding area.

2.3 Aquifer Physical Description

The approximate elevation of the water table beneath the property ranges from 806 feet to

808 feet above sea level, and indicated by the map found in Appendix 8.4. The water table

5

elevation map can be found in Appendix 8.4. The majority of the residents in the town of

Moraine rely on well water, and those wells directly tap into subsurface aquifer located beneath

the town. The physical characteristics of the aquifer in conjunction with the subsurface

geological conditions of the site and surrounding areas create a great potential for contaminant

migration in the water supply of Moraine.

3.0 Record Review

3.1 Physical Setting Sources

The Self-Lume Factory and surround property is located at 20 Loess Lane in the town of

Moraine, Drumlin. Indication of the physical boundary lines of the Self-Lume Property were

indicated on the site grid map provided by Maps-R-Us which can be found in Appendix 8.6. A

current USGS topographic map of the Self-Lume property and the surrounding area was also

reviewed and can be found in Appendix 8.1. As previously indicated, the elevation of the

majority of the Self-Lume site is approximately 840 feet above sea level. The elevation of the

surrounding area gradually decreases towards the Southwest side of the town of Moraine to

approximately 820 feet. While the slope on the site might not be visibly extreme, this change in

elevation might cause runoff from the Self-Lume property to move down into the town of

Moraine and come in contact with the Town Well located on Pitch Pine Lane in the Southeastern

part of Moraine. Additionally, the geological conditions of the property as described in the

Subsurface description of the site present a greater opportunity for contaminants to migrate to

wells which supply Moraine residents with drinking water.

3.2 Environmental Records Sources

Based on the Sanitary Inspection Report provided by Anne Spector from Health

Department, radioactive chemicals were used on site by the Self-Lume company, but they were

6

regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. According to Ms. Spector, there was need to

interfere because it appears that the chemicals were handled in a way that exposed no one to risk.

The Sanitary Inspection Report can be found in Appendix 8.10. According to a personal letter

from Anne Spector, the permits for underground storage tanks, or USTs, were damaged in a

flood that occurred at the Fire Department, so the UST permits for the years 1974 and 1975 are

not available at the present time. Lastly, according to the most recent water quality report from

the Health Department, Well #3 of the Township of Moraine has been contaminated with organic

compound including benzene, toluene, xylene, and tritium, as shown in Appendix 8.5.

3.3 Historical Use Information

The factory was built by Self-Lume, Inc. in 1974-1975 and began operation in 1975 on

property that was purchased from the Fallow Family. The Self-Lume business involved the use

of radioactive tritium in the production of self-luminous signage. This signage was not only

produced on the Self-Lume site but also used by the Moraine Municipal Government. The

purchase order dating to 1985 can be found in Appendix 8.8. Additionally, several wells and a

septic tank system were installed on the Self-Lume site. Permits for the individual sewage

disposal and septic system were filed in 1974 and the system was subsequently installed by

Honey Dipper, Inc. The application for this permit can be found in Appendix 8.9. The Self-Lume

Factory was closed in 1994. The property is currently on the real estate market.

4.0 Site Reconnaissance

4.1 Self-Lume Property

Along the driveway leading to the Self-Lume Factory is dense deciduous forest. Part of

and underground storage tank can be seen from the driveway. The Southeast corner of the

7

parking lot at the factory has been cleared, with only weeds and small grasses growing. The

substrate here consists of a ¾ inch diameter gravel with some finer soil interspersed.

The central building on the Self-Lume Property, located at 20 Loess Lane, is the

abandoned Self-Lume Factory. The dimensions of this central building are approximately 320

feet by 730 feet . Within the central building on the Self-Lume Property, the dimensions of

interior rooms range from approximately 30 feet by 30 feet to 1400 feet by 800 feet. The

majority of the interior rooms in the center of the building are office space which has been

cleared of any furnishings, including electronics. Also in the interior of the building are several

capped copper pipes that likely were used to convey water. In what is labeled as the boiler room

there are a great number of these pipes, though not a visible storage tank for any utilities. Thus,

there must be an underground storage tank or UST. A capped well with a concrete pier can be

observed here in the boiler with, with additional capped pipes and rusty values with signage

reading “Main Water Feed”. Signage on adjacent interior rooms warn of the presence of

radioactive material, but the rooms are empty with properly capped pipes.

Located adjacent to the factory entrance are concrete piers with two existing gas pumps.

The pumps appear to be out of us; they are old and rusted with no visible hoses or nozzles. The

pumps also do not have any markings to indicate prior contents. South of these fuel tanks is a

large cleared area, in which the substrate is comprised of dirt and gravel. Mixed in with the

substrate is cinderblock, asphalt, and other debris, thus indicating that this area has been recently

used as a landfill. On the East side of the building, the cinder block has been stained by soot

above a section of six windows. Also on this side of the building is a pipe that was apparently

used to refill oil tanks and is no longer in use. Approximately 150 feet out from the East wall are

8

several concrete footings whose past use is not ascertainable. Thus concluded the visual site

reconnaissance of the Self-Lume property.

4.2 Adjacent Properties

The visual site reconnaissance of adjacent properties began on Pitch Pine Lane, located

South of the Self-Lume Property. Pine barren vegetation dominates this area, which includes

scrub oak and pine trees. The soils here are light colored or beige soils that are visibly sandy and

gravelly. Approximately 0.3 miles down the road is a 20 feet wide extension with little

vegetation except for low, scraggly weeds. There is also a brick building located 40 to 50 feet

from the road with Water Supply Signage, which is likely the Town Well. In the area across

from the BTEX Gas Station the vegetation changes from deciduous forest with fine soils. North

of the Self-Lume Property at Plucker’s Scrap Metal there are numerous automobiles and vehicles

piled up, in various stages of being stripped. Next, at the Rochee Mountonee Vineyards, located

South of the Self-Lume Property, are two brick sheds with hose and irrigation equipment. They

appear to be active wells on the vineyard property. Lastly, the water tower to the Northwest of

the Self-Lume Property is surrounded by primarily scrub oak and pine foliage and sandy soils.

Thus concluded the visual site reconnaissance of adjacent properties.

5.0 Interviews

5.1 Municipal Authorities Interviews

Numerous interviews were performed over the course of the environmental site

assessment of the Self-Lume property and contractual site. The initial interview of the

assessment was at the Environmental Division of the Health Department, where we spoke with

Anne Spector. She shared information about past newspaper articles concerning potential water

supply contamination, though made assurances that should there be any threat to public health it

9

would have been addressed by the Health Department. Ms. Spector provided the Sanitation

Report for the Moraine Township. A brief interview was then completed with the Major of

Moraine, in which he mentioned the water complaints approximately 3 months earlier and

alluded to the closing of the Self-Lume Factory and the fire that occurred there.

Several additional interviews were then carried out within the Public Works Department

of Moraine. Dee Skustin of the Solid Waste and Sewers Division stated any of their records

predating 1990 were damaged by a flood, and locating them would be very difficult and costly,

thus rendering these records not reasonably ascertainable. Mr. Skustin also mention that

journalist Ivana Lede had published several articles about the potential presence of radioactive

waste. In an interview with Mari Ner of the Water Supply Division the records of the Site Well

and information about the existing water tanks. Ms. Ner asserted that her department was solely

responsible for water supply services, and that the Health Department was responsible for water

quality. Interviews were then performed at the local Fire and Police Department, which provide

damage reports for the fire that occurred at the Self-Lume Factory after its closing as well as a

report on an oil spill that occurred in 1983. Lastly, an interview with Rita Lott at the Moraine

Public Library provided several past newspaper articles related to water contamination and the

death of Moraine Resident and Honey Dipper employee Mal Sangre. All of the documents

provided throughout the course of these interviews were included in the records review.

5.2 Moraine Residents Interviews

Several interviews were completed with local business owners and Moraine residents.

The resident interviewed was Ivana Lede, an employee of the local newspaper since 1992. Ms.

Lede had gathered information Self-Lume’s use of radioactive materials. According to Lede, the

company used chemicals that required permits from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and

10

that they had all the necessary documentation for their use of tritium. However, Lede was

concerned that Self-Lume was disposing of a decreasing amount of radioactive waste without

any corresponding decrease in production. Additionally, Lede published articles about the late

Mal Sangre. Sangre, an employee of the Honey Dipper company, was responsible for cleaning

the septic tanks in Moraine. Sangre died of an extremely rare blood disease, but Lede was unable

to gather more information on any link between Self-Lume’s waste disposal and Sangre’s death.

Lede’s article concerning Sangre’s death can be found in Appendix 8.7. Lastly, Lede asserted

that Self-Lume’s relationship with the town of Moraine was very positive, and that they had

gainfully employed many residents before the factory shut down. Lede’s information about

Sangre’s death was corroborated in an interview with Moraine resident Rhea Kruter.

Next, an interview with lawyer Eve Ader referred us to Erratic Avenue resident Connie

Ferm. The interview with Connie Ferm led to her referral of Dr. Priya Scribe, the doctor who

treated Sangre. An interview with Dr. Scribe revealed that Sangre died of polycythemia vera, an

extremely rare blood disease. Dr. Scribe was never able to find sufficient cause to explain

Sangre’s death, nor was she able to discover any link between Sangre’s job as a septic tank

cleaner, but she suspects there was a connection and plans to continue research on the subject.

Lastly, Scribe confirmed that there was nothing medically wrong with the Moraine residents who

had been complaining about the water having a faint gasoline taste. Scribe had treated them and

tested for any medical concerns that could have arised as a result of water contamination.

6.0 Evaluation

6.1 Adjacent Property Analysis

Well #3 provides drinking water to local residents and is located 40 feet to 50 feet away

from the south of Self-Lume Factory. According to the Water Quality Report from Health

11

Department, Well #3 to the Moraine Township is heavily contaminated with the organic

compounds benzene, toluene, and xylene, often originated from gasoline pollution, and with the

beta radionuclide tritium (H3), a form of hydrogen that is radioactive. The level of each of the

organic compounds alone as well as the tritium alone found in well #3 are sufficient to require

the immediate closing of well #3.

Additionally, the owner of local diner and BTEX gas station, Tillie Terrain has been

audited by the Internal Revenue Service based upon a suspicion of underreporting profits while

Terrain adamantly denies these charges. IRS comments that there is a large discrepancy between

gallons delivered and income reported by Tillie’s BTEX. Since Terrain believes that no one has

been stealing from the pumps, the underground oil tank leaking could be a possible reason for

the loss of gasoline. The newspaper article covering this recent development can be found in

Appendix 8.10.

The EPA will hire environmental consulting firms to conduct a Phase II Environmental

Site Assessment that will focus on searching for the source or sources of contamination in

Municipal Well #3 and delineating the nature and extent of underground contamination.

6.2 Self-Lume Property Recognized Environmental Conditions and Rationale

Several recognized environmental conditions were identified on the Self-Lume property.

In the interior of the factory building, a capped well was present the boiler room, which was

directly adjacent to rooms marked with radioactive material signage. Also, evidence of a fire was

observed that may have had some impact on the release of radioactive materials into the

environment. In the exterior area surrounding the factory building, there were several areas of

vegetative stress in the surrounding area. Adjacent to the factory entrance were two old and

rusted gas pumps that had no indication of their contents. Pipes located on the exterior of the

12

building were also likely used in the refilling of oil tanks. The presence of these unmarked tanks

indicate a potential threat of release into the environment and merit further investigation. Lastly,

according to documents provided by the Health Department and the observation of areas of

vegetative stress indicate the presence of an underground sewage disposal tank and septic system

that was used exclusively by the Self-Lume Factory. These observations, and the mysterious

circumstances surrounding the death of Honey Dipper employee and septic tank cleaner Mal

Sangre indicate the need for further investigation.

6.3 Budget Summary

The total direct cost of the services rendered throughout the environmental site

assessment was $859.00. The majority of the total budget was dedicated to performing

interviews and gathering information at local municipal offices including the Environmental

Division of the Health Department and the Water Division of the Public Works Department at a

cost of $25.00 per visit. Additionally, parts of the budget were expended in visiting local

businesses, such as Tillie’s Diner, Wedging Nursery, Town Well and BTX Gas Station, also at a

cost of $25.00 per visit to each site. Several residents of the town were also interviewed as key

sources of information over the course of the environmental site assessment, again at a cost of

$25.00 per visit and $1.00 per additional question. Another large proportion of the cost was

devoted to visual site reconnaissance of the Self- Lume property and adjacent properties, which

cost $100.00 per site reconnaissance. Additional visual site reconnaissance was necessary in

order to gather more information to aid in the environmental site assessment.

7.0 Non-Scope Considerations

As a result of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, several recognized

environmental conditions have been identified in conjunction with the Self-Lume Property. It is

13

our recommendation that a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment be performed on the existing

underground sewage disposal system on the site, as well as on the capped well on the site.

Additionally, the gas pumps and oil lines located around the exterior of the factory merit a

further investigation to ensure no contaminants were released into the environment from those

locations.

8.0 Appendices8.1 Site Topographical Contour Map

Source: Brownfield Action Documents

8.2 Bedrock Contour MapSource: Brownfield Action Documents

14

8.3 Annotated Site Address MapSource: Brownfield Site Aerial Photos

8.4 Water Table Contour MapSource: Brownfield Action Documents

15

8.5 Water Quality Report SummarySource: Anne Spector, Moraine Health Department

16

8.6 Malls-R-Us Site Grid MapSource: Malls-R-Us Documents

17

8.7 ‘Doctor Still Haunted by Death of Patient’ ArticleSource: Moraine Public Library

18

8.8 Moraine Purchase RequisitionSource: Arthur Rizer, Moraine Purchasing Department

8.9 Self-Lume Sewage Disposal System ApplicationSource: Anne Spector, Moraine Health Department

19

8.10 ‘IRS Explores Terrain’ Article

20

Source: Ivana Lede, Moraine Newspaper

8.11 Sanitary Inspection ReportSource: Anne Spector, Moraine Health Department

21

22