U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Truckers Warehouse - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
Subject: POLREP #3
Truckers Warehouse

Passaic, NJ
Latitude: 40.8556073 Longitude: -74.1420993

To:
From: Kelli Lucarino, OSC/Environmental Scientist
Date: 3/12/2010
Reporting Period: 3/8/2010-3/12/2010

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: A242    Contract Number: EP-W-04-055
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: 3/1/2010    Start Date: 3/1/2010
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID: NJR000073288    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification: Yes
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category
        
        Emergency Response

1.1.2 Site Description

Truckers Warehouse, Inc. (TWI) is located in a highly populated mixed residential/commercial use area with a large minority and immigrant population, near the junction of four major roadways (I-80, Rt. 46, the Garden State Parkway, and Rt. 21).  TWI operated as a warehousing facility, storing products for several different clients.  The products ranged from brake drums to mud flaps for trucks.  Truckers Warehouse, Inc. claims when they began business, they inherited the hazardous substances and non-hazardous substances from a client that went bankrupt and could not remove the substances. On January 11, 2008, NJDEP responded to a chemical fire at the Gaeta Recycling Plant in Patterson, NJ, and subsequently traced the chemical back to Truckers Warehouse, Inc.  NJDEP officials conducted a site inspection of the TWI facility and found several containers of di-nitroso-pentamethylene tetramine (DNPT), the same material suspect in the Gaeta fire. DNPT is a shock sensitive and flammable solid material.  According to DOT regulations, DNPT cannot be shipped unless it is in concentrations less than 82%.  The material found at TWI is in concentrations of 100%. NJDEP directed TWI to hire a contractor to identify and segregate all chemicals on-site, overpack all containers, remove containers from the warehouse, and arrange for the disposal of all substances.  TWI removed all containers from the interior of the warehouse and placed the non-hazardous substances on the loading dock located outside. Most hazardous substances were placed in a locked commercial transport trailer, backed to the loading dock. TWI recently entered bankruptcy, forcing NJDEP to refer the site to EPA. TWI currently has 30 overpacked drums located in a tractor trailer, 28 of which contain DNPT.  TWI also has approximately 40 overpack drums on their loading dock containing non-hazardous substances and hazardous substances.    
     
1.1.2.1 Location
        
        61 Willet Street
        Passaic, New Jersey 07055

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The quantity and explosive nature of the DNPT poses serious health and safety risks to the community.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

A site visit conducted on February 22, 2010 by EPA confirmed the presence of the abandoned DNPT.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

EPA activated the emergency response contractor to conduct hazard categorization of materials, inventory all materials, and prepare materials for transport and disposal.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

ERRS crew mobilized
Inventory of contents of all drums conducted
Hazard Categorization sampling conducted to verify characteristics of certain materials
One sample collected from one drum and sent for analysis to verify contents of drum
Request for bid for transport and disposal of all materials sent
ERRS crew temporarily demobilized, will mobilize when ready to ship materials
Subcontract for transport and disposal awarded

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

To date, 3 PRPs have been identified and letters notifying them of potential liability under Section 107(a) of CERCLA have been issued to each party.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Not applicable at this time

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
           
           
           



  2.2 Planning Section
   

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

A subcontract for transport and disposal of all substances on site has been awarded.  Transport and disposal is estimated to be completed by March 26, 2010.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

EPA will ensure the security and stabilization of chemicals until transported for disposal.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Transport and dispose of all on-site materials.

2.2.2 Issues

No issues encountered during this reporting period.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    The president of RJS Corp. stated he would provide EPA with office space and warehouse space as well as lighting, heat, forklifts and pallet jacks.

  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer
All activities conducted on-site were in accordance with the approved Health and Safety Plan developed by the ERRS contractor.

2.6 Liaison Officer
The EPA OSC will act as the liason officer between PRPs, contractors, and state and local officials.

2.7 Information Officer


2.7.1 Public Information Officer

The PIC is not currently activated.

2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator

The CIC is not currently activated.

3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command
The Unified Command is not applicable to this response.

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
NJDEP, OSHA, Clifton and Passaic Fire Departments.

4. Personnel On Site
  2 EPA OSCs
5 ERRS

5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report


http://www.epaosc.org/truckerswarehouse

6.2 Reporting Schedule
Additional POLREPS will follow.

7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.