Adam's Plating

Overview

Adam's Plating sits on a 1-acre property in Lansing, Michigan, where electroplating operations used chromium, nickel, and copper starting in 1964. A dry cleaning business had previously operated there, leaving behind a leaking underground tank that was removed in the 1950s. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in March 1989 after waste disposal practices before 1980 contaminated soil and groundwater. The site remains on the NPL today.

EPA has identified thirteen contaminants of concern. These include metals such as arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc found in soil and groundwater, as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including 1,1-dichloroethane and acrolein found in soil gas. The contamination spans both the soils excavation area and a separate investigation area at the site.

Cleanup began in earnest with a 1993 decision and initial work finishing in 1994. A 2010 fire spread hazardous chemicals off-site, triggering an emergency response that ran through 2011. EPA demolished the fire-damaged building, removed hazardous materials, and replaced contaminated soil during that period. A Record of Decision Amendment in March 2022 updated the cleanup approach to focus on vapor intrusion mitigation. This includes sealing foundation cracks, installing aerated floors, and adding passive ventilation systems. EPA also installed a vapor mitigation system in an adjacent residential property. Air sampling inside nearby properties in 2016 and 2017 found no exceedances of vapor intrusion criteria. Deed restrictions now require vapor mitigation systems in any new buildings on the site. Remedial design for the updated plan was completed in September 2023, with remedial action expected to wrap up between March and May 2027.

Current status shows that human exposure is under control, meaning no unacceptable pathways exist for people to contact contamination. Physical construction is complete across the entire site. However, EPA cannot yet confirm whether contaminated groundwater migration is stabilized, as there is insufficient data to make that determination. The site has not yet achieved sitewide ready for anticipated use status. EPA completed its most recent five-year review in June 2025. A focused remedial investigation and feasibility study that began in April 2023 is still ongoing.

Community members can contact EPA directly with questions. Diane Russell serves as the Community Involvement Coordinator and can be reached by phone or email. Celine Wysgalla is the Remedial Project Manager and is also available by phone or email. EPA works alongside Michigan health and environmental agencies and the Ingham County Health Department on ongoing protection efforts. Key site documents, including fact sheets and the proposed plan, are available through the site profile.