OSWER/OSRTI

Washington, DC 20460

NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL)

[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may 

change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination.]

For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to 

these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on 

the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.

***Final Site*** May 2012

SOUTHERNAVENUE INDUSTRIAL AREA South Gate, California 

Los Angeles County

 Site Location:

The site is located in a mixed industrial, commercial and residential area in South Gate, California. 

 Site History:

Since 1972, the site has been occupied by a facility that manufactures hot-melt adhesive tape for laying carpets. Prior 

to 1972, Pacific Screw Products Corporation manufactured screw products at the property until the business went 

bankrupt. The main areas of concern include concrete liners in the pallet manufacturing area, a sump, and an 

underground storage tank area. Historical Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Hazardous Waste 

Control Program surveys and notices of violations note the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) on the property and 

improper disposal of unusable oils and solvents. 

 Site Contamination/Contaminants:

Soil and ground water at, and down gradient of, the site are contaminated with TCE. TCE was detected in onsite soils 

at levels up to 17 parts per billion (ppb) and in ground water beneath the site at levels up to 17,000 ppb. The EPA’s 

Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for TCE in drinking water is 5 ppb. 

 Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:

The extent of ground water contamination needs to be fully characterized. Although the drinking water supply wells 

immediately down gradient of the site are located in a deeper aquifer and are not currently contaminated, there is the 

potential that drinking water wells may become contaminated. There are at least 35 drinking water wells within four 

miles of the site, serving approximately 226,000 people. In addition, due to the high concentrations of TCE in ground 

water and the relatively shallow depth to ground water (60 feet), there is a need to evaluate the potential for vapor 

intrusion of TCE from the site into nearby buildings and residential areas.

 Response Activities (to date):

In May 2002, the EPA completed a Remedial Investigation of the nearby Cooper Drum NPL site. During the 

Remedial Investigation, the EPA identified the Southern Avenue Industrial Area site as an additional source of ground 

water contamination in the area. Based on additional ground water sampling, the EPA determined that the ground 

water contamination from the Southern Avenue Industrial Area site appears to be commingling with the down gradient 

portion of the Cooper Drum plume and requested the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) 

assume the lead on the Southern Avenue Industrial Area site. DTSC requested that the property owner and operator 

enter into a consent order, but both declined. Since 2007, DTSC was unsuccessful in attempting to compel the 

potentially responsible parties to conduct work at the site. Due to the lack of enforcement resources as well as the 

proximity of the site to the Cooper Drum NPL site, DTSC requested the EPA assume the lead for this site to ensure 

that investigation work continues and cleanup work begins.

 Need for NPL Listing:

The State of California referred the site to the EPA. Other federal and state cleanup programs were evaluated, but are 

not viable at this time. The EPA received a letter of support for placing this site on the NPL from the State of 

California.