May 2011
National Park, Presidio of San Francisco, Lead Pollution
Our Challenge
- ChemRisk was retained to define the extent of lead contamination in lake sediment and water in the Presidio, before and after an identified date.
- That pollution information was used to determine the economic responsibility of an insurer e.g., a “coverage case”.
Our Approach
- We used EPA, university derived, and industrial sampling data of lead to evaluate the time course of pollution
- Examined levels of lead in surface water and sediment.
- Examined correspondence to identify corporate knowledge of pollution.
Our Findings
- The lake was contaminated with lead due to road run-off from lead emissions due to gasoline.
- The water and sediment were polluted at levels requiring remediation prior to the start of the insurance policy and the insurer was not deemed liable for any costs associated with clean-up.