EPA Superfund Site

PECK IRON AND METAL

VA | EPA ID VAN000306115

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of April 2025, the Peck Iron & Metal Superfund Site (Site) is considered “Current Human Exposure Not Under Control” (HENC). Operable Unit 1 (OU1) encompasses all soils, fill material, and estuarine wetland sediments on or near the Site, and Operable Unit 2 (OU2) addresses groundwater and sediments in the adjoining Paradise Creek and tidal wetlands. Per the 2019 Remedial Investigation Report (RI), the Site presents unacceptable cancer and non-cancer health risks to Site visitors/trespassers through exposure to soil, fill, and estuarine wetland sediment. The Site presents unacceptable cancer and non-cancer health risks to people who consume fish caught in Paradise Creek. Although the site is gated and secured, there has been a history of trespassers.

This exposure pathway is considered unacceptable based on EPA risk-based criteria. The Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) indicates significant health risks (excess cancer risk [ECR] > 1 × 10-4 [i.e., one extra cancer for every 10,000 people exposed to Site contaminants] and/or target organ specific hazard index [HI] > 1) for nearly all human receptors considered in the baseline risk assessment. The primary groups of chemicals contributing to the unacceptable cancer risks and/or non-cancer adverse health effects are polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins and furans, metals (aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and thallium), and radionuclides (Ra-226 and Ra-226 progeny). In addition, asbestos was detected at concentrations greater than one percent in soil samples collected adjacent to debris containing friable materials on the Peck Property, and a roll-off dumpster full of asbestos insulation has been identified on site, indicating the potential for asbestos-containing material (ACM) at the Site to pose a risk to human health. Additionally, explosives and munitions of concern (MEC) have been discovered while digging across the site, presenting potential risks for anyone performing ground-disturbing activities.

Currently, the planned activity to address this pathway is to perform a Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) to reevaluate the remedy selected in the Record of Decision (ROD) for OU1. EPA issued a ROD for OU1 in 2023; the remedy selected in the ROD is: Off-Site Treatment/ Disposal of Principal Threat Waste (PTW), and On-Site Consolidation/ Capping of Low-Level Threat Waste (LLTW) with a Low-permeability Cover. The FFS is necessary because of the significant complication and risk associated with excavation since the discovery of MEC on site.

EPA performed a Removal Action in 2022 to remove easily obtainable radioactive debris at the Site. EPA also fixed areas of the fence to prevent trespassing on the Site. EPA has posted signage on the Site fence warning trespassers of the dangers. EPA last held a community meeting in early 2024. EPA regularly communicates with community member and sends updates via mail and our emailing list.

The EPA is actively working to mitigate health risks at the Peck Iron & Metal Superfund Site through a combination of remedial actions and community engagement. The goal is to bring human exposure under control by 2027, ensuring the safety of site occupants and the surrounding community.