United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

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 occurred 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.

4/25 - OSC in Philadelphia attending meetings for another site.

4/26 - The OSC reviewed the health and safety plan provided by the demolition subcontractor and discussed changes with ERRS.  ERRS resolved issue with the owner concerning his request for additional time in Bay 1  prior to demolition.  Top soil/fill is being delivered to the site.  A conex box was delivered to the site for storage of items removed from  Bay 1.   The OSC completed review of the geoprobe report for the adjacent PHD property.  An underground utility report was received for the area around the owner's house.

4/27 - Rasche Bros (new garage builder) here to identify locations for trenching for construction of foundation wall. START submitted an activity based asbestos sampling report for areas sampled adjacent to the new building.  OSC and START discussed data collection/sampling plan for demolition activities.  ERRS conducting removal operations in Bay 1.

4/28 - The OSC attended a meeting at MDE with the Weston PE and MDE's Erosion and Sediment Control Program. The OSC agreed to treating stormwater with a Bio Filter Control System per MDE's request for stormwater treatment  (this system, or something similar, would be required of any private business given the specifics of our work at the site.)  To date, 3 loads of topsoil delivered to the site.  The OSC discussed E&S requirements with ERRS and what will be constructed on the site.

4/29 - The OSC discussed with the property owner his concerns regarding the timeline of the demolition and construction of the new garage. Rasche Bros begins and completes digging the trench for the retaining and foundation walls.  ERRS continues removal activities in Bay 1.  The OSC received laboratory results for inorganics in topsoil, which met  specifications. LVI stopped by to take site measurements.

4/30 - Rasche Bros preparing trench for installation of retaining and foundation walls.  ERRS moving soil pile and conducting removal operations in Bay 1.  The soil pile is being wetted down and covered each day.

5/2 - The OSC attended meetings in West Chester, PA in morning.  Onsite at 1500.  Retaining and foundation walls poured to about half the height of the trench.  Security contractor now providing security during off hours.  The Work Plan for demolition was submitted by the Demo subcontractor.  The OSC reviewed and requested changes and additional detail. The OSC discussed with the property owner the use of R6 stone or soil for some areas of the site.  At the OSC's request, START sent the completed geoprobe/sampling report for the PHD property to the PHD owner, mortgage holder, County and MDE.  

5/3 - Rasche Bros continuing installation of retaining and foundation walls.  OSC and ERRS RM  discussed review of the demolition work plan and provided comments to LVI. The OSC received cost estimates for erosion control and stormwater treatment activities. EPA Field Accountant here to assist the OSC with cost projections.

5/4 - EPA provided neighboring property with parking rental agreement.  ERRS continuing work in Bay 1 conducting removal operations.  Bay 1 work is  nearing completion.  EPA continuing to work through comments with ERRS on the demolition work plan.  The OSC worked on estimating needed funding to complete the project to include in a revised site Action Memorandum.

5/5 - The OSC coordinated plans with START for air sampling activities during demolition.  Also worked on cost projections.

5/6 - Rasche Bros preparing to pour concrete in trenches.  LVI arrived to go over work activities with ERRS RM and OSC. Work to begin next week. The OSC sent a site fact sheet to the local fire department and informed them of the upcoming demolition. ERRS cleaned out a facility side hopper recently identified by the OSC as containing asbestos.  

5/7 - ERRS completed removal work in Bay 1.  The property owner was upset with ERRS method of moving his cars (the cars are not operable). After more discussion, we ultimately agreed on an approach.

- Begin demolition.
- Begin garage construction.

Friable and Non-Friable asbestos-containing waste (ACM) has been disposed of.  This includes porous, contaminated personal items and demolition waste. Beginning in late July, asbestos-contaminated soil will be disposed of.

Approximately twenty 30 cu yd containers of concrete were sent off for recycling to Machado Construction primarily from May 13 to June 6 after demolition.

The demolition subcontractor arranged for the recycling of approximately ten containers of scrap steel.  

Personal "white good" items that were cleaned of asbestos but identified as not needed by the owner were sent off to the local county landfill for disposal.