United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

Site Description
The Powhatan Mining Company site is the location of a former asbestos processing facility. The mill operated from approximately 1920 to 1980 primarily processing anthophyllite asbestos.  Asbestos ore for the mill was mined in Maryland until about the 1940s and later brought in from several States including California, Georgia and Alabama. The site is bordered on all sides by residential properties and the residential yards to the southwest lie within feet of the former processing facility and in the path of site runoff.  In 2006, the property to the east of the former mill was  subdivided into residential lots for new home construction. From 2006 to 2008, the residential lots were  cleared and graded and retention ponds were installed. Development ceased after only two homes were constructed.

The former processing facility is a multi-story building with a loading area on the northeast end (cement block portion) and a processing area at the southwest end (rusted metal portion).  The asbestos fiber extraction process took place inside the building complex.  Asbestos ore was reportedly received and first dried in the cement block portion of the complex.  Further processing of the rock ore is believed to have occurred in the metal portion of the facility, a multi-level, timber-framed structure with stone foundation and corrugated metal siding.  In the milling operation believed used at this facility, the asbestos ore was first crushed to a normal, even size and then dried.  Fiber extraction then occured through a series of crushing operations, each followed by vacuum aspiration of the ore running on a vibrating screen.  On the screen, the fibers were released from the ore and collected into a vacuum system.  Fibers recovered from consecutive vibrating screens were brought to cyclone separators, and the air filtered to remove the finer, suspended fibers.

The property was brought to EPA's attention by the Maryland Dept of the Environment.  After an initial assessment, a non-emergency Removal Action primarily intended to secure building openings was initiated by the OSC in a Special Bulletin dated August 11, 2009.  More recent sampling data and conditions warranted a time-critical action. A time-critical Action Memorandum for the site, concurred on by HQ, was signed on June 8, 2010. In addition, a memorandum authorizing demolition and compensation to the property owner was approved by the Region and HQ on this date.

EPA will be conducting removal activities at the site in order to deconstruct the facility and remove/cover soil which may pose a threat to public health and/or the environment.  During activities which will cause significant disturbance of interior dust or outdoor soils, air samples periodically will be collected from personal sampling devices on cleanup personnel to determine if proper levels of protection are being used at the site.  Additional air samples will be collected along the perimeter of the site to confirm that engineering controls are protective of the surrounding community.

02/28-2011 to 03/06/2011 -  ERRS crew not at site. OSC agreed to a work break to allow crew to spend time with families in southern U.S.

03/01 -  The OSC received revised grading layout design from the Weston engineer.

- EPA Finance personnel stressed that the two agreements with the owner require notarized signatures.  The OSC will need to have the owner re-sign in the presence of a notary and obtain notary seals.

03/02 - The OSC arrived on site at 1100.  Reviewed ORC's comments on the revised Agreement #2.  Per discussion with the OSC, START collecting soil samples on the site adjacent to the new building work area and the owner's home. ABS samples will also be collected. Sample analyses to determine if any levels of concern exist where builders will be laying tools,equipment, etc.

- The CO approved the consent package for the demolition subcontractor.

03/03 -  START completing soil sampling.  The OSC also directed START to collect soil samples along run off areas leading to back yards of homes along Kincheloe Ave.

- Weston engineers here to evaluate the site in relation to the grading design. Also meeting with Rasche Bros to go over the design and come to an agreement on potential need for a foundation wall.  Discussed and agreed.

- The OSC spoke with the owner about the additional trees he wants removed because he believes they will interfere with his new building (e.g. one or more may topple in the future, become deceased and require removal, etc.). The OSC did not see the need.  The owner and friends will cut down the trees over the weekend.  The owner would like ERRS to remove or chip the wood as he does not have the ability to do so.  

- A resident stopped at the trailer for ~ 20 minutes to discuss the status of our work.

03/04 - The OSC left the hotel directly for EPA Boothwyn office.

03/07 to 03/12  -  The OSC not on site due to family medical issue.
ERRS crew returned 03/07.

03/07 - ERRS RM called the OSC. The owner no longer has electrical power to Bay 1 due to the necessary service disconnection before building demolition. He would like a generator as soon as possible. Also wants to make sure the tree wood will be removed. The OSC directed the ERRS RM to obtain a generator, cut up the tree limbs and chip the wood.  Stressed that he have have the owner call the OSC with any other concerns the owner has.

03/09 - ERRS RM called the OSC again about the owner's requests. The OSC called the owner and forcefully explained EPA's role in this cleanup and the limits of our authority and obligations.

- Complete interior cleaning especially items in Bay 1.

- Complete an E&S/Stormwater plan for approval by MDE.
- Coordinate start-up of building construction. The subcontractor (Rasche Bros) will want to obtain a building permit from the County (The OSC will discuss the need for a permit with ORC).
- Coordinate work with the newly acquired demolitiuon sub contractor (LVI Services Inc); obtain H&S Plan and Workplan.

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- Coordination with the owner on his desire to use Bay 1 or a cement pad for car repair work before and when factory demolition occurs.