EPA Region 10 received a request for assistance from the Washington Department of Ecology (ECY) at 12:22 AM on Monday morning, June 6, 2016 regarding a report of 5 – 55 Gallon Drums and one 5 Gallon Drum in the roadway at the intersection of Aqueduct Drive East and 99th Street East in Tacoma, WA. One container was reported to be leaking.
The initial law enforcement officer on the scene reported an acrid smell and upper respiratory system burning but no medical attention was needed. Central Pierce County Fire and Rescue set up a 150 foot exclusion zone; Aqueduct Road was closed. The Public Utilities Department is on the scene to close the road and limit access to the area for public safety. The location is a residential area; the nearest house is outside the 150 foot exclusion zone approximately 300 feet away. The contents of the containers are unknown, EPA assistance was requested to assess the contents.
OSC Parker was mobilized with two START contractors. START conducted a Level B entry and after collecting samples and conducting field hazard categorization (HazCat) analysis, determined that the contents of all containers were non-hazardous. OSC Parker is coordinating with WA Ecology to provide appropriate advice to locals on proper disposal of the non-hazardous waste. All EPA personnel demobilized by 6:00 AM.
