United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region II
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

CALLER IS MAKING A REPORT INVOLVING A FORMER CHEMICAL COMPANY FACILITY THAT IS  CURRENTLY ON FIRE DUE TO AN UNKNOWN CAUSE AT THIS TIME.  CALLER WAS NOTIFIED OF  THE INCIDENT AT 1900 EDT.  CALLER STATES THERE HAS NOT BEEN A KNOWN MATERIAL  RELEASE INVOLVED WITH THE FIRE.

EPA responded to a fire at an abandoned chemical facility located at the corner of Garibaldi and Metta Avenues in Lodi, NJ at 20:45 hours on 6/23/2009.  The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) requested assistance at approximately 20:30 hours based on the suspicion that the facility contained chemicals used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).Based on the information known at the time, the NJDEP requested assistance for air monitoring support and possible run-off sampling.

OSC D’Onofrio responded to the scene on behalf of EPA and mobilized the Regional Support Team (RST) contractor to conduct air monitoring/sampling as required.  The OSC also consulted with the EPA Environmental Response Team (ERT) on issues related to the chemicals expected to be found in the manufacture of PVC and their products of combustion in order to identify the appropriate air monitoring parameters.  

Upon arrival on-scene, the OSC met with representatives from the NJDEP and the Bergen County Health Department Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Unit (Hazmat).  The following information was reported by the NJDEP and Bergen County Hazmat:

•    The facility was on fire since approximately 16:00 hours and was still burning but under control;
•    the cause of the fire was unknown;
•    the facility was believed to be abandoned for approximately 5 years;
•    the presence of chemicals inside the facility was still unconfirmed;
•    Bergen County was working in support of the Lodi Fire Department (LFD) and the NJDEP and had conducted air monitoring for combustion products;
•    Sustained carbon monoxide readings of approximately 100 ppm and hydrogen sulfide readings of 5 ppm were obtained within the smoke plume by Bergen Co. Hazmat ;  
•    Based on the presence of heavy smoke and the carbon monoxide levels, several residences downwind of the fire were evacuated as a precaution;
•    Photo-Ionization Detector (PID) and explosimeter readings were negative for organic vapors and explosive atmospheres;
•    The name of the facility on the building was noted as Interlast Universal Industries; and
•    The current owner of the facility was believed to be a company named “199 Realty Company”.  Information on the location of the realty company and/or its representatives was not known at the time.

The EPA and the NJDEP conducted air monitoring using Draeger tubes and direct-read instruments.  Parameters monitored were based on combustion products of the suspected chemicals associated with the manufacture of PVC and included acid gases, chlorine and phosgene.  Monitoring for explosive atmospheres and organic vapors was also conducted as a precaution.  Results for acid gases, phosgene, organic vapors and explosive atmospheres were all negative.   A few chlorine readings were obtained at less that1ppm fluctuations.  The chlorine results were inconsistent and were not high enough to cause concern; they may have been caused by interference and/or equipment anomalies.  It should be noted that it was raining at the time air monitoring was conducted; a fact which may have contributed to skewed results.

Additional investigation by EPA, NJDEP, the LFD, Bergen Co. Hazmat and the Lodi Office of Emergency Management (OEM) concluded that no chemicals were present inside the facility.  That information became available later in the response and was based on a previous inspection that had been conducted by the LFD a few years ago.  It was reported at the time of the inspection that all chemicals related to the facility’s operation had been removed from the site and the building was empty.  Based on that information and the fact that the fire was extinguished, the residential evacuation was lifted and residents were allowed to return to their homes.  It was also determined at that time that additional air monitoring or sampling would not be required and would probably be ineffective due to the heavy rain.  The EPA, the NJDEP and Bergen Co. Hazmat response was therefore terminated and the Agencies demobilized at approximately 03:15 on 6/24/09.