PROJECT ARCHIVES:
Coppin State, Health & Human Services Building
Baltimore, Maryland

Arc Environmental, Inc. was contracted by the University of Maryland to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Phase II ESA, soil gas sampling, and consultation for installation of a passive methane collection system at a 45-acre vacant Site in northwest Baltimore City. Development plans for the Site include construction of a new Health and Human Services facility for Coppin State University.

During the Phase I, several Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) were identified, including the Site's historical use as a machine shop; its close proximity to Maryland Oil Control Program case sites; and the presence of an on Site railroad spur and unknown fill material.

A Limited Phase II ESA was performed to further investigate the RECs identified during the Phase I ESA. All soil samples were screened with a photoionization detector (PID). Soil and groundwater samples were collected using a Geoprobe direct push drill rig and analyzed for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) Diesel Range Organics (DRO) and Gasoline Range Organics (GRO), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC), Priority Pollutant Metals, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).

Samples were also collected and analyzed for suspect asbestos containing material (ACM) found in on-Site solid waste piles.

Arsenic and mercury were found at concentrations above the MDE residential cleanup standards. Since the concentrations of arsenic and mercury were consistent with Baltimore City background levels at the time of the Site investigation, no remediation was recommended.

During excavation for the basement of the building, a suspect odor was detected by the construction crew. In response to the odor, Arc Environmental completed 17 soil borings in various locations across the site. Soil gas samples were collected from each boring and analyzed for methane. Results indicated methane concentrations in the soil were high enough to require an active/passive soil vapor/methane mitigation system be installed beneath the future building slab and basement.