U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
FMO Pesticide Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
Subject: POLREP #15
Ongoing Removal Action
FMO Pesticide Site
A3PZ
Orefield, PA
Latitude: 40.6322715 Longitude: -75.6149893

To: Gerald Heston, US EPA Region III
Jeff Bartlett, North Whitehall Township
Dennis Carney, EPA Region III
Linda Marzulli, EPA Region III
From: Ruth Scharr, Federal On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 7/12/2011
Reporting Period: 7/01/11 to 7/10/11

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: A3PZ    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date: 9/1/2010
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 7/1/2010    Start Date: 9/17/2010
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID: PAN000306719    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category

Time-Critical Removal

1.1.2 Site Description

The Site is characterized as a time-critical removal.  The Site includes approximately 1300 acres of land (approximately 1.5 square miles) that were formerly used for the commercial growing and harvesting of fruit from orchard trees and are currently zoned for residential or public use primarily in North Whitehall Township, PA.  Lead arsenate pesticide was historically used for several decades at the Site until its use was banned in 1988 by EPA.  Elevated levels of arsenic and lead have been detected in surface soil samples on residential parcels and in public use areas.  The FMO Pesticide Action Memo was submitted by the OSC and signed on September 1, 2010 approving a Removal Action which address contamination at residential parcels.   

1.1.2.1 Location

The site is located in the Orefield/Schnecksville area of North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Ingestion of lead and arsenic through direct contact with contaminated soil, or ingestion of contaminants from small particles that have been aerosolized from the disturbance of soil.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

A toddler play area was excavated this week.  In order to minimize damage to large areas needed to access the toddler play area in the rear of the property, excavation activities occurred by hand digging and wheel barrel.The toddler play area was excavated to a total depth of 6 inches below ground surface.  Samples were collected for analysis from the base of the excavation.  The area was back filled with certified clean topsoil.  No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area.  A total of one rolloff was used for excavation activities conducted this week.  An additional 3 rolloffs were used for the excavation activities the previous week.  Installation of sod was conducted at the toddler play area and the property excavated the previous week.
ERRS continues to water the sod each day at properties identified by EPA.  Sod is watered in early morning and later evening to avoid burning.  Sod was not watered if it rained.

Removal activities have been completed at a total of 11 properties.  The property to be excavated the week of July 11th has requested to be taken off the list for removal.  EPA is currently assessing scheduling options for a replacement.  One additional property has been activated for a removal action.  Removal activities are currently planned at an additional 10 properties.

A total of 58 rolloffs containing an estimated 928 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal.  Two rolloffs are currently staged onsite.  One containing soil, a second containing PPE.
  2.2 Planning Section
   
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Property specific work plans for residences requiring soil excavation will continue to be prepared.  EPA will be meeting and scheduling with residents where removal activities may take place.  At times scheduled between the resident and EPA, excavation of properties will occur, samples will be collected, backfill installed, and sod installed.  Removal activities are expected to continue through the summer and fall of 2011.

Air monitoring will continue to be conducted during excavation activities to ensure contaminated soil is not being spread to areas outside of each work zone and appropriate levels of personal protective equipment are being utilized by site workers.

Samples will continue to be processed  at the onsite laboratory for Extent of Contamination, and Post-Excavation activities.

ERRS will continue to excavate, dispose of soils, restore yards, and water sod.

Close-out letters will be prepared for those properties where we have received validated data for post-excavation sampling.  Letters will include maps showing where EPA excavated and restored the property.

 2.2.1.2 Next Steps
.  
2.2.2 Issues   

              Portions of Sod that was installed at a property on July 6th, had turned  brown by Friday June 8th.  Contractor will be reviewing the current practices for installing sod in hot dry weather and the watering schedule to determine what additional measures should be undertaken to prevent sod failure. Since the sod went brown shortly after the installation date, the sod at this property will be replaced by the Landscaper.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer


2.6 Liaison Officer


2.7 Information Officer


2.7.1 Public Information Officer

2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator   
          David Polish  215 814-3327
3. Participating Entities
  No information available at this time.
4. Personnel On Site
  On July 2nd, 2011, 2 Kemron personnel were onsite.
On July 3rd, 2011, 1 Kemron personnel was onsite.
On July 4th, 2011, 1 Kemron personnel was onsite.
On July 5th, 2011, 3 Kemron, 5 SodWorks, 1 Weston, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On July 6th, 2011, 8 Kemron, 5 SodWorks, 2 Weston, and 2 EPA personnel were onsite.
On July 7th, 2011, 8 Kemron, 2 SodWorks, 2 Weston, and 2 EPA personnel were onsite.
On July 8th, 2011, 4 Kemron, 4 SodWorks, 2 Weston, and 2 EPA personnel were onsite.
On July 9th, 2011, 2 Kemron personnel were onsite.
On July 10th, 2011, 2 Kemron personnel were onsite.
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.