A former gray iron foundry, located in the Village of Sparta, Michigan, had been in operation since the 1920s, where solvents and lubricating oils were used in the production of piston rings and other products. Gasoline, diesel fuel, and mineral seal oil were also stored at the site in underground tanks. Slag, foundry sand and grinding wastes had been disposed of on site. Previous investigations identified elevated concentrations of trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in soil and groundwater samples exceeding the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE -formerly – MDEQ) criteria. This posed a potential vapor intrusion (VI) risk to nearby residences.

This area had undergone many previous investigations and remediation activities were completed by EGLE. Approximately 14,000 tons of contaminated soils were removed in 2012 and groundwater monitoring wells were installed. Monitoring wells and soil gas sampling results in 2015 verified VI was not a concern to the north or west of the source area. However, there was a potential VI risk in the residential area to the east and south.