News

The Department of Toxics Substances Control (DTSC) has just released the Work Notice for remediation activities at the Zeneca property adjacent to the Richmond Field Station. As described in the notice, remediation activities, including sediment excavation, mixing and truck activity, will occur from December 5, 2005 to December 31,2005. Continuous air monitoring and dust control measures will be in place during the removal activities.

The State of California Department of Toxics Substances Control has rescheduled the next meeting of the Community Advisory Group for Zeneca/Former Stauffer Chemical Company Site (that includes the Richmond Field Station and other nearby sites within its scope) to start half an hour earlier than previous meeting. It will meet at the following time and location:

We previously reported that a radiation survey of an area of land along Meeker Slough, adjacent to the RFS, revealed no evidence of radioactive contamination. This is an area where a former UC employee claims to have buried metal drums in the late 1960s.

Staff from the California Department of Health Services Environmental Health Investigation Branch (DHS) will be holding two drop-in sessions to meet with anyone from the RFS community to discuss health concerns:

he State of California Department of Toxics Substances Control has scheduled the next meeting of the Community Advisory Group for Zeneca/Former Stauffer Chemical Company Site (that includes the Richmond Field Station and other nearby sites within its scope) for the following time and location:

Monday , October 24, 2005 - 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Richmond Convention Center - Bermuda Room
403 Civic Center Plaza at Nevin and 25th Streets
Richmond, California.

The campus Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) has implemented a supplemental air monitoring program to further ensure that the environment at the Richmond Field Station (RFS) is healthful and safe for workers and visitors. This air monitoring is in addition to the sampling required by the state Department of Toxics Substances Control (DTSC) related to the RFS site remediation project.

On Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2005, the campus Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) assessed an area of land along Meeker Slough, adjacent to the RFS, for radiation. The assessment, conducted after EH&S notified the Department of Toxics Substances Control (DTSC), covers an area where a former RFS employee claims to have buried metal drums in the late 1960s. No radioactive contamination was found. EH&S will continue to work with DTSC to determine the presence and content of any buried material in this area.

The Community Advisory Group (CAG) established for the Zeneca/former Stauffer Chemical Company site (Zeneca Site) and surrounding sites, including the Richmond Field Station,  is now seeking to fill two positions specifically for Richmond Field Station employees. Membership applications are due Thursday, August 25, 2005. To apply, complete the application form. Instructions for submission of the form to DTSC are included at the end of the form.

The State of California Regional Water Quality Control Board has issued two tentative orders for rescission of Orders of Site Cleanup Requirements for the Zeneca site (Order No. 01-101) and for the Richmond Field Station (Order No. 01-102). This action is being taken because lead agency oversight has been transferred from the Board to the Department of Toxics Substances Control.

Facilities staff have received some questions about small flags that have been placed in the ground in parts of the field station. Flags are being used for a variety of purposes, including campus Environment, Health and Safety surveys and expansion of the Institute for Transportation Studies bus test track.