V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 



5-01. CONCLUSIONS 



An oil and hazardous material site evaluation has been 

 performed for the Tudor Wharf site in Charlestown, 

 Massachusetts. The study included a limited number of borings, 

 sample screening and chemical testing of soil and groundwater 

 samples. The test borings were completed primarily for 

 preliminary geotechnical design purposes, but were also 

 utilized for the evaluation for the possible presence of oil 

 and hazardous materials beneath the site. Information 

 regarding the site conditions on 19 March 1987 was supplemented 

 by the observations made during a 5 May 1988 site visit, a 

 recent DEQE file review, and conduct of recent test borings and 

 chemical testing. The scope of the recent exploration program 

 was limited to three borings in an area of filled land 

 totalling approximately 28,800 square feet. 



A review of site history indicates the wharf was utilized for 

 ice storage until 1897. Between 1901 and 1962, the site 

 buildings were used for general warehousing. In 1962, the 

 Rapid Furniture Company purchased the site and utilized part of 

 the existing wooden frame structure for furniture preparation 

 until 1987. The remaining warehouse space has been leased to 

 other companies for storage, and is currently leased to Warner 

 Brothers for prop storage. Once entry to this building is 

 permitted, a supplementary letter concerning present site 

 conditions will he provided. 



The site is serviced by water, natural gas and municipal 

 sewers. An above ground No. 2 fuel oil storage tank is located 

 on-site and provides fuel to an oil burning furnace. Evidence 

 of illegal disposal of waste motor oil was observed in two 

 storm sewer catch basins located inside the property boundaries 

 along Charles River Avenue. Oil staining was also observed in 

 the eastern parking area, where an auto gas tank has also been 

 abandoned, as well as inside the wood framed warehouse. 



The fill quality on-site was observed during the conduct of the 

 test boring program and has also been evaluated through 

 chemical analysis. Volatile organic compounds, PCBs and 

 pesticides were not detected in the soil samples submitted for 

 testing. Total petroleum hydrocarbons were detected in the 

 fill materials from all three land borings, with the highest 

 concentration of 53 ppm detected in B102. No. 6 fuel oil was 



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