Location
109 Adams Drive, Albertville AL 35950
Description of Threat
Site is comprised of reactive materials stored drums which are leaking into a ditch and off gassing near several businesses. Local responders have closed Adams Drive and at least one business has been evacuated due to its proximity to the plum off gassing from the drums. The drums have been deliberately punctured and the drums are suspected to contain industrial concrete cleaner containing muriatic acid (also known as hydrochloric acid). The impacted ditch contains standing water and flows to Turkey Creek. Representatives from Alabama Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) and local responders are on scene but do not have the resources to respond at this time. There are multiple occupied businesses in close proximity to the drums and Adams Drive is a high traffic street.
Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On February 22, 2017, Marshal County Alabama Emergency Management Agency reported to the National Response Center that drums of hydrochloric acid were discovered along a public right-of-way. The drums were in poor condition and the contents were reacting and off-gassing. Between 30-40 gallons was reportedly dumped on the ground and the drums still contained a suspected 65 gallons of material. ADEM contacted EPA and requested assistance.
Representatives from ADEM and On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Brian Englert and Emergency and Rapid Removal Services (ERRS) contractors responded to conduct emergency response and removal operations. Upon arriving onsite, OSC Englert inspected the drums. Visual inspection of the drums indicated reactive material was off gassing and creating a plume of smoke flowing towards a nearby business. Visible punctures could be observed along with an ongoing released of material into a nearby drainage ditch. Labels on the drums indicated they contained industrial strength concrete cleaner. Interviews with two business owners, indicated that they were in the process of transferring possession of the drums from one business to the other, and one of them attempted to drain them into a nearby ditch by puncturing them. One of the business owners indicated that the drums did indeed contain concrete cleaner diluted with an unknown amount of rain water.
Operations Section
OSC Englert has delivered a verbal Notice of Federal Interest to both business owners. In addition, both business owners have been sent a written Notice of Federal Interest. OSC Englert conducted air monitoring and performed a radiation survey as a precaution. No readings above background were observed. ERRS crews conducted Level B Entry, collected samples and transferred the contents of the leaking drums to knew drums and over-packs. Impacted soil was excavated and stored in drums. ERRS contractors have begun making disposal arrangements. OSC Englert and ERRS demobilized on 2/23/2017.
Response Actions to Date
- OSC Englert, state and local officials have responded
- ERRS contractor have mobilized to the Site
- OSC Englert has conducted air monitoring with MultiRAE and dragger tubes and conducted a RAD survey
- ERRS contractors have conducted a Level B Entry to collected samples and transfer contents of drums to overpacks
- Impacted soils have been excavated and containerized
- OSC Englert, ADEM and ERRS have demobilized
- Wastes have been staged and disposal arrangements are being made
Anticipated Activities
The contents of drums and excavated soil will be disposed of once results from analytical samples are received. Once disposal is complete, no further activities are anticipated.
Planned Response Activities
- OSC Englert, state and local officials have responded (COMPLETE)
- ERRS contractor have mobilized to the Site (COMPLETE)
- OSC Englert has conducted air monitoring with MultiRAE and dragger tubes and conducted a RAD survey (COMPLETE)
- ERRS contractors have conducted a Level B Entry to collected samples and transfer contents of drums to overpacks (COMPLETE)
- Impacted soils have been excavated and containerized (COMPLETE)
- OSC Englert, ADEM and ERRS have demobilized (COMPLETE)
- Wastes have been staged and disposal arrangements are being made (ONGOING)
Next Steps
Analytical results will be reviewed and staged wastes will be disposed of.
