U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Modern Plastics - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
Subject: POLREP #1
Stabilization
Modern Plastics
Benton Harbor, MI
Latitude: 42.1213234 Longitude: -86.4545362

To: Charles Gebien, US EPA
Linda Nachowicz, US EPA
Ronald Carter, City of Benton Harbor
Nathan Whitmyer, Michigan DNRE
Mark Palermo, US EPA
From: Mike Beslow, OSC
Date: 2/17/2010
Reporting Period: 2/16 - 2/19

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number:      Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Emergency
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 2/17/2010    Start Date: 2/17/2010
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.2 Site Description
Modern Plastics was a plastics molding company that ceased operations in late 2008.  The majority of the equipment has been liquidated.  Eight PCB labeled transformers remain within the facility.   All but one transformer once had a secondary containment berm; however, they have all been compromised.  The roof has had historic leaks, and indoor storm drains go directly to the creek that runs through the property.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
One of the PCB transformers has leaked and bypassed the secondary containment migrating to the floor.  Combined with a leaking roof and floor drains that lead to a nearby creek, the PCBs threaten a release to the environment.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On site there are eight PCB labeled transformers.  A previous visit by USEPA Pesticides and Toxics division yielded test results with positive hits of PCB oils up to 688,000 ppm leaking from a single transformer.

2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
The leaking transformer has been drained into PCB labeled drums.  Floor surfaces near the leaking transformer have been cleaned of visible oils.  Floor drains leading to the creek have been plugged.  The building has been secured.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
           
           
           



  2.2 Planning Section
   

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Determine the extent of contamination and remove PCB contaminated materials.  Identify additional hazardous materials on the property and properly dispose of them.

2.2.2 Issues
There is a prospective buyer interested in the property in its current state.  Time remains a factor in ensuring the materials are properly removed from the building and disposed of.  The leaking roof creates issues with the remaining transformers, the PCB drums, and other contamination that may remain in the building.

  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
   
   
Estimated Costs *
  Budgeted Total To Date Remaining % Remaining
Extramural Costs
ERRS - Cleanup Contractor $30,000.00 $0.00 $30,000.00 100.00%
Intramural Costs
 
Total Site Costs $30,000.00 $0.00 $30,000.00 100.00%

* The above accounting of expenditures is an estimate based on figures known to the OSC at the time this report was written. The OSC does not necessarily receive specific figures on final payments made to any contractor(s). Other financial data which the OSC must rely upon may not be entirely up-to-date. The cost accounting provided in this report does not necessarily represent an exact monetary figure which the government may include in any claim for cost recovery.


  2.5 Other Command Staff
    No information available at this time.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command


3.2 Cooperating Agencies
US EPA
    Emergency Response Branch
    Pesticides and Toxic Substances Branch
Michigan DNRE
City of Benton Harbor

4. Personnel On Site
  No information available at this time.
5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.
POLREP #1 Last Updated 6/18/2010