On 09 June 2011 at approximately 9:30, OSC Karen Way was deployed to meet with MassDEP in the town of Blackstone, MA regarding potential asbestos contamination in fallout debris deposited during the mill fire which occurred in Woonsocket, RI. The town of Blackstone is located approximately a few miles from the scene of the mill fire in Woonsocket, RI. RIDEM was contacted and will join the meeting in Blackstone to develop a coordinated strategy across both States for assessment and sampling of areas impacted by the fire. The following is a summary of activities to date:
The fire occurred sometime on Tuesday evening, 07 June 2011, and resulted in an 8-alarm blaze. Evacuations were in place for about 10 homes located on 2 streets near the fire but was rescinded sometime on Wednesday morning, 08 June, 2011. Two firefighters were injured. Power was out for several hundred residents but has since been restored;
RIDEM was not notified by local responders of the fire until Wednesday morning, 08 June 2011. EPA became aware of the fire from the local news on Wednesday morning, and then contacted RIDEM;
RIDEM immediately sent out a responder when they were notified on Wednesday morning and informed EPA that there was no evidence of oil or hazmat releases and that the building was vacant;
The fire was out by Wednesday morning but the fire dept remains on scene to suppress hot spots;
The mill was the location of the former Alice Mill Rubber Manufacturing Plant, which employed over 1,500 people before going out of business. The plant was later used by a plastic manufacturer, Tech Industries, which left the building in 2009;
OSC Way was deployed to the scene to coordinate response actions with MassDEP and RIDEM;
OSC Burgo and OSC Banks were deployed to provide support to OSC Way;
Four START contractors were deployed to provide sampling for analysis of asbestos and volatile organic compounds (VOC);
EPA public affairs has been notified and a request has been made by EPRB for them to coordinate with their RIDEM and MassDEP counterparts to create public information documents;
ATSDR support has been requested;
The following samples will be collected this afternoon: Grab summa can air samples in areas around the affected mill for VOC's; Six-hour air samples near the mill and in the town of Blackstone for asbestos analysis; Bulk samples of materials within the debris field suspected of containing asbestos.
Some items of note:
A news report on WPRI from yesterday contained interviews of residents complaining of sore throats and odors requiring them to seek another place to stay. Apparently, the debris is still smoldering and generating continuous smoke;
Further sampling may be necessary based on the analytical results of samples collected today and from the visual assessment of other areas of potential contamination.
Areas of contamination may impact both MA and RI
Additional updates will be sent as information is received.
UPDATE:
OSC's Way, Burgo and Banks demobed from the scene at approximately 9:30 pm. OSC Way provided the following update:
After inspection of both the RI and MA areas which were potentially impacted by debris from the fire at the former Alice Mills complex, it was determined that the debris was primarily deposited on the MA side;
Samples taken by EPA on the RI side at the mill area: 5 air samples for asbestos and 5 air samples for volatile organic compounds;
Samples taken by EPA on the MA side in the towns of Blackstone, Bellingham and Franklin: 5 asbestos air samples and 2 bulk samples from debris for asbestos analysis;
OSC Way will return to the site tomorrow to conduct additional air sampling for VOC's at areas adjacent to the mill;
Analytical results will be received by the end of the day tomorrow. Additional actions will depend on the results of the sampling.
Additional updates will be sent as information is received.
UPDATE:
OSC Way returned to the former Alice Mills in Woonsocket, RI on Friday, 10 June 2011, with START contractors and to meet with MassDEP and RIDEM responders. Air monitoring was conducted in areas around the mill and seven air samples were taken for analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC). A total of 12 air samples were taken in areas around the mill for VOC analysis between Thursday and Friday. Analysis of all asbestos samples taken on Thursday were negative. ATSDR reviewed the analytical data for VOCs and determined that levels found at the site presented no threat to the public. No further actions will be taken by EPA responders.
Case closed.
