On April 22, 2004, the Ohio EPA inventoried and sampled 31 plastic 55 gallon drums discovered in a garage behind a home located at 119 Harrison Avenue in Greenville, Ohio. Ohio EPA noted the home is across the street from the Junior High School. During the Ohio EPA site investigation twenty six of the drums appeared to be waste chromic acid. Two drums appeared to be a waste caustic material (pH 12-13) and two drums appeared to be a nickel plating waste. Another drum was a waste acid with a pH of 1. Ohio EPA indicated the drums appeared to be the same drums observed by Ohio EPA in December 1999 during an inspection at the Menefee Plating facility in Dayton, Ohio (now closed).
In a letter dated May 11, 2004 to the U.S. EPA, the Ohio EPA requested assistance in conducting a potential time-critical removal action at the Harrison Avenue Drum Site.
On May 25, 2004, U.S. EPA On-Scene Coordinator Steve Renninger conducted a site investigation at the Harrison Avenue Drum Site. OSC Renninger noted 31 drums abandoned in the residential garage in close proximity to residential areas and the adjacent Junior High School. Ohio EPA analytical data confirmed the presence of chromic acid (pH=1) and caustics (pH=12.5) in close proximity creating an incompatible storage situation.
On June 9, 2004, U.S. EPA initiated an emergency response to properly dispose of the abandoned drums.
On July 14, 2004, 31 drums of hazardous waste were transported off-site for disposal to complete the removal action.
