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.

6/6 - OSC Kelly in Philadelphia, OSC Ham covering the site.  ERRS conducting general disposal operations onsite, mainly loading wood demolition debris onto rolloff containers. The neighboring facility was paid for parking.  

6/7 - OSC Kelly in Philadelphia, OSC Ham covering the site.  ERRS conducting general disposal operations onsite. LVI and ARC work is completed.

6/8 - OSC Kelly onsite.  The OSC met with the property owner regarding ongoing work, including restoration activities and new building installation.  New building construction ongoing, concrete floor has been poured.  Weston PE and OSC met onsite regarding erosion control, excavation, and restoration activities. Agreed on materials to be used for erosion control.  As of today, 20 loads of concrete have been taken offsite for recycling at Mercado Inc, and 12 loads of non-friable asbestos havebeen disposed of at Cumberland County Landfill.  

6/9 - START conducted soil sampling activities along the back of the property just above the residential yards. START conducted air sampling at three perimeter locations.  

6/10 - START conducted air sampling activities.  ERRS loading out concrete for recycling or disposal.  The OSC and START arranging for TCLP analysis of asbestos contaminated soil for disposal.

6/11 - The OSC not onsite.  ERRS conducted general cleanup activities.

6/13 through 6/16 - The OSC was in Philadelphia for mandatory EPA Removal Program and Safety meetings.  ERRS conducted soil excavation in former facility footprint and stockpiled the soil.   START performed air sampling activities.  Electrical work conducted inside new building.  The property owner raised issues with installation of OSB paneling on the new building. The OSC and ERRS will contact the supplier. Weston PE onsite to observe curb installation by Rasche Bros.  Additional $500K funding provided to the site on 6/15/11 per signed Action Memo.

6/17 - OSC onsite at 1300.  ERRS conducted soil excavation and  stockpiling.  START performed air sampling activities.  Air concentrations have generally declined since the building was brought down. Personnel samplers still have an occasional PEL exceedance.

6/18 -  ERRS conducted soil removal and stockpiling.  The OSC and ERRS RM developed a plan for cleanup activities on adjacent residential properties.  OSC addressed the property owner's concern regarding installation of paneling.

- Begin transport and disposal of contaminated soil.
- Continue and complete 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.