United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region X
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

Root Paint & Glass Company was an industrial paint facility that specialized in the painting of bridges and other industrial applications. While in operation there was improper storage and disposal of on-site spent-thinners, discarded or off-speculation solvent/oil based paint materials, and specialized finishes and paint coatings. Washington Department of Ecology requested EPA assitance. While on the site visit, EPA & Ecology observed about 900 containers as described below:

• Numerous containers, ranging in size from 1-pint to 55 gallons, suspected to contain latex and oil-based paint products including numerous specialty coatings.  Several of the containers are labeled “corrosive” and/or “flammable”; however, many containers lack labels or the labels could not be read.  In addition, many containers are corroded, rusted, or leaking.
• Two 55-gallon drums suspected to contain methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), toluene, and methylene chloride.
•  Three 55-gallon drums suspected to contain Cuprasol, a copper plating solution.
• Numerous spent fluorescent tubes likely containing mercury and ballast containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
• An area of ash and unburned paint waste on the ground surface of the yard

July 14, 2009
-EPA, START, & ERRS mobilized to the Site, and began moving debris, setting up staging areas, repairing the fence, and setting up wrangler totes. EPA also met with Hoquiam Fire Chef(Paul Dean) & Hoquiam Building Offical(Orlando Howell) on Site.

-ERRs separated latex and oil based paint products, and packed 14 wrangler totes.

July 15, 2009
-START performed X-ray fluorescence(XRF) of surface soil for assessment and characterization. Results are indicating elevated levels of Chromium and Lead in several different areas.

-START, EPA, & ERRS sampled 109 drums, and analyzed the samples by hazard categorization techniques.

-ERRS separated latex and oil based paint products and packaged them in wrangler totes. 9 latex totes and 22 oil totes were packed.

-ERRs is coordinating with RCRA program on disposal facilities.

-USCG Strike Team is overseeing Site Health & Safety.

-WA Ecology to visit Site on July 16, 2009.

-START to sample soil & sandblast debris for metals, TCLP (r(IV)), and VOCs.

-ERRS to continue to separate latex and oil based paint products and package them in wrangler totes.

-ERRS to bulk waste and overpack drums.

-Arrange for transportation and disposal of paint products, soil/sandblast grit, and unknowns.

-Unable to visually delineate between contaminated and uncontaminated soil. Need a full soil assessment.