Arsenic sampling

Laboratory Methoda Sample 1 Sample 2 As (Arsenic) Sample 3... 

The concentrations of arsenic are usually, but not always, stable, Where concentrations are likely to be stable (i.e. deep groundwater), monitoring would normally only need to take place infrequently. Where water supplies for populations are subject to treatment to remove arsenic, samples are normally best taken at the treatment works, where the frequency of monitoring should be sufficient to ensure that the process is effective,... 

The levels of arsenic found, up to 11 ppm, are more consistent with therapeutic use of arsenic, such as in Fowler s solution (see p. 224). An alternative explanation is that the wallpaper and draperies in the house where he lived were coloured with pigments, such as Scheele s green dye (copper arsenite), which contained arsenic. Samples of the wallpaper have been found which do indeed contain arsenic, it is known that in damp conditions, in the presence of mould, this dye wiii reiease a voiatiie organic form of arsenic, methylarsine, which is very toxic. Such a case of poisoning occurred more recently in the US Embassy in Rome in the 1950s. 

Figure 7. a) Molar relationship of sulfate to iron (log scale) for non-impacted water, and low, moderate, and high arsenic concentrations, b) Molar relationship of sulfate to iron (linear scale) for high arsenic samples only. Data from WDNR (2001, unpublished). 

It should be noted that both of the former residents of this property died of cancer and all the children had severe skin problems, which cleared up mysteriously when they went away to college. One of the kids had to be tied down at night so he would not scratch his skin irritation. Because of these reports, the District of Columbia requested arsenic samples on the surface of the property and levels as high as 1000 ppm were found. That result forced the Corps to sample all of the properties in Operational Unit 3 (OU-3), about 60 houses in total. Findings of several other properties with elevated arsenic ultimately led to the Corps acceptance of one of the recommendations made in the District of Columbia s first report, which was to test everywhere for arsenic. The author would not have recommended sampling all 1400 lots for arsenic if there wasn t historic evidence to support it. The author attached 155 pages of historical documents to that first report culled from about 3000 pages that were read. 

At this point in time, the District of Columbia s attention shifted to trying to get some arsenic sampling around the Glenbrook Road property. To their surprise, the Corps agreed and not only did that lot but also the two adjoining ones. To their surprise, the arsenic was as high as 1000 ppm on the surface of the Glenbrook Road backyard and 600 ppm next door (the ERA had only found 241 ppm). Of course, this created quite a stir and at this point, the ERA was forced to take some of its own arsenic samples. 

The 1918 aerial photograph clearly shows a number of ground scars, and some have trails leading to them. The 1918 map lists a target believed to be POI 8. It also hsts ruins that are near POI 4. The area was included in the arsenic sampling, and six lots covering several of the POIs or AOIs had arsenic levels above background. 

Finally, because the EPA has already completed a risk assessment on the AUES site, it would be repetitive to perform another. Although the ERA S Risk Assessment was done in 1999, it was primarily based on the limited sampling data from 1993 and 1994. Newer data from the site-wide arsenic sampling and limited sampling for other constituents should be added. If the EPA feels that a risk assessment could be completed on this new data, it should also be included. 

During the arsenic sampling, the District of Columbia found a pit of chemical glassware. They asked the Corps to remove the items, which they did. Arsenic on the surface soil was 3350 ppm. The District thrai asked the Corps to conduct a geophysical survey of several areas on the American University campus. Several disposal pits and empty shells have been found. 

This short section is presented for state regulators, residents, and stakeholders to illustrate that the EPA is not beyond the reach of such requests. Very early in the partnering, the District of Columbia asked the EPA to perform some arsenic sampling on the American University campus and several other properties. They complied and found several elevated readings. It was during this sampling event that the District found the glassware disposal site on the campus. They asked Ken Shuster of the EPA to compile a list of the best metal detection equipment. He recommended several firms to the Corps. 

Expand boundaries as appropriate and conduct arsenic sampling and geophysical surveys as appropriate on new properties. 

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