This report evaluates the potential exposure pathways associated with vermiculite concentrate processing activities at the Ari-Zonolite facility. The site is located in the near downtown area of Glendale, approximately ½ mile from the city hall, downtown shops, and other buildings. The former Ari-Zonolite facility received vermiculite from the Libby, Montana, mine. From 1951 to 1964, the site was leased the site to the Ari-Zonolite Company. Following the removal of the vermiculite concentrate processing equipment in 1964, several businesses have occupied the site. None of these businesses were involved in vermiculite processing activities. The last occupant of the former vermiculite processing building was an automotive restoration business, which vacated the site in 2002.

The officials of Sunnyside High School District and a United States Representative have expressed great concerns regarding the potential adverse health effects due to beryllium exposure in the vicinity of Brush Ceramic Products. The Arizona Department of Health Services was asked to determine whether beryllium released from Brush Ceramic’s plant poses a health threat to school children and employees, and residents in the vicinity of the facility.

The purpose of the report is to evaluate environmental conditions and data at the site to determine whether a public health hazard exists as a result of exposure to contaminants in soils at the property. The City of Phoenix considers the site to be one of its highest priority brownfield projects due to its size, location, and threat to the public. Nearly the entire site is covered with solid waste including metal debris, tires, empty drums, construction debris, refuse, ceramics, empty alcoholic beverage bottles and cans, and human waste. A large pile of automobile fragments known as auto “fluff” is present on the southeast corner of the property. Contamination of soils at the site has occurred by disposal of auto fluff and transformer oils. The contaminants at the site include various metals and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The Arizona Department of Health Services reviewed existing data and performed a health consultation to evaluate the potentially adverse health effects due to VOCs created by air emissions from the Miller Road Treatment Facility. Prior to the existence of our current environmental regulations, local industries improperly disposed of organic solvents directly onto the ground or into dry wells. This subsequently contaminated all three levels of the aquifer.

This consult is in response to a petition request by the City of Tempe to de-list the area from the South Indian Bend Wash Superfund site, to allow the redevelopment into a multi-use retail marketplace. This consultation focuses on the potential for human exposures to the contaminants from soil vapors in the section known as the Landfill Area, or the McClintock/Rio Salado Brownfield Redevelopment Area.

The Arizona Department of Health Services prepared this report to evaluate whether a public health hazard exists as a result of potential environmental exposures from the contamination at the Phoenix Goodyear Airport North site. Another objective of this report was to investigate and address the health concerns of the residents in the Goodyear area, including former Unidynamics workers. This report uses available environmental data from the site and information collected from members of the community regarding their health concerns. There were many concerns, including health concerns, of residents and former Unidynamics workers that were related to living near the PGA North site or previous employment at the former Unidynamics facility. These community concerns are identified and addressed in the public
health assessment.