Fact Sheet - Santa Ana, CA
W.R. Grace & Company Plant Santa Ana, California Site Background From 1972 through 1993, the W.R. Grace & Company site at 2502 South Garnsey in Santa Ana, California, processed vermiculite mined in Libby, Montana. This vermiculite was contaminated with asbestos. The facility exfoliated ("popped" or expanded) vermiculite to manufacture insulation, fireproofing (brand name: Monokote), masonry fill, pool cushion, and various horticultural products. Over 400,000 tons of vermiculite were processed at this site. While the facility no longer processes vermiculite, W.R. Grace still owns and operates the four-acre site. Land use immediately surrounding the site is a mix of commercial, light industrial, and residential. The nearest homes lie within one-quarter mile of the site. According to the U.S. Census, over 35,000 people were living within one mile of the site in 1990. Recent EPA environmental samples from the site showed low levels of Libby asbestos in soils in several areas. Much of the site, however, is paved. No vermiculite or vermiculite waste stockpiles are present at the site. Air samples collected inside the building detected no asbestos fibers. One of three dust samples collected inside the building indicated the presence of very low levels of Libby asbestos in surface dust. Conclusions and Recommendations Former Workers (prior to 1994) - Conclusion: People who worked at the W.R. Grace plant before 1994 were exposed to hazardous levels of asbestos. People who lived with former workers were probably also exposed to hazardous levels from fibers carried home on workers' hair and clothing.
- Recommendation: Identify former workers and their household contacts (people who lived with them) to evaluate potential health effects.
Current Workers (1994 to present)
- Conclusion: Based on available sampling data, the levels of residual Libby asbestos inside the former processing areas pose no apparent public health hazard to present or future workers. Outside much of the site is paved, so uncovered soil areas containing residual Libby asbestos are limited and do not appear to pose a health hazard. However, a public health hazard could be created in the future if the soil is disturbed through excavation or other site-development activities.
- Recommendation: Review new information about the site as it becomes available, and develop a management plan for preventing or containing future disturbances of on-site soils contaminated with Libby asbestos.
Past Community - Conclusion: Although ATSDR continues to review information, currently not enough data are available to determine whether people who lived near the plant were exposed to hazardous levels of Libby asbestos.
- Recommendation: Review new information that becomes available to determine appropriate actions to protect public health.
Present Community - Conclusion: Community exposure to Libby asbestos from plant emissions or from onsite asbestos-contaminated materials poses no public health hazard. Currently not enough data are available to determine whether individuals are being exposed to Libby asbestos from waste that may have been used in the community. In other communities, waste vermiculite has been used for a variety of purposes, such as fill, driveway surfacing, or soil amendments.
- Recommendation: Review new information that becomes available to determine appropriate actions to protect public health.
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