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 #19
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: 8/29/2011
Reporting Period: 8/4/2011 through 8/26/2011

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 land that was used formerly 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 addresses 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

Incidental 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

Currently a total of 23 properties require removal activities.  Fourteen properties have been completed to date.

Due to extreme heat conditions and associated complications with sod installation and maintenance, excavation activities were put on hold until the 8/21 and the ERRS crew was demobed until that time.  Several ERRS crew members remained onsite during this period to water sod. 

On 8/21, ERRS mobed back to the Site.  On 8/22, excavation activities resumed.   Excavation began on the front yard of the current residence.  Again, due to the presence of shallow roots in parts of the excavation, some areas were hand dug to avoid damaging the root systems.  The areas were back filled with certified clean topsoil.   Samples were collected from the base of each excavation prior to back filling.   The front yard will be restored with sod.  No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area at either residence.  A total of three rolloffs were used for excavation activities conducted this week.

On 8/23, EPA conducted a Health and Safety audit of the Site.  Two EPA personnel performed the audit.  Comments and recomendations regarding the findings of the audit are forthcoming.

Additional Phase II samples were collected from one property.  All Phase II and post-ex samples will be shipped to CLP for analysis.

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.

A total of 69 rolloffs containing an estimated 1,104 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste.  Two rolloffs are currently staged onsite; both contain soil.
  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.  

Air monitoring will not be conducted during the demobe period. 

Samples will be shipped to an offsite laboratory for Post-Excavation activities. For any newly added removal action properties, Extent of Contamination samples will be collected and shipped off-site to a laboratory for analysis. This will provide quicker results and enable the action to be taken this year.  These samples will be shipped for offsite analysis.  ERRS will continue to water sod during the demobe period.

EPA will prepare closeout letters 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 and a table of post excavation sampling results.  Post-excavation walkthroughs are being scheduled at residences at which excavation activities have been completed.

Upon receipt of the validated Phase II data from the samples collected this week, the property owner will be provided the results.  Upon receipt of validated data from the extent of contamination samples collected this week, EPA will evaluate the data and determine excavation areas and the proper course of action for removal action.



 2.2.1.2 Next Steps
        
  
2.2.2 Issues   

Due to inclement weather on 8/25, the ERRS crew was sent home early. 
 
  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 August 8th, 4 Kemron, and 4 SodWorks personnel were onsite.
On August 9th, 4 Kemron, and 4 SodWorks personnel were onsite.
On August 10th, 3 Kemron, 1 Weston, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 11th, 3 Kemron, 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 12th, 3 Kemron, 1 EPA personnel were oniste.
On August 13th, 2 Kemron personnel were onsite.
On August 14th, no personnel were onsite.
On August 15th, 3 Kemron and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 16th, 4 Kemron and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 17th, 4 Kemron, 1 Weston, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 18th, 4 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 22nd, 8 Kemron, 1 Weston, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 23rd, 9 Kemron, 2 Weston, and 3 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 24th, 8 Kemron, 2 Weston, and 2 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 25th, 8 Kemron, 2 Weston, and 2 EPA personnel were onsite.
On August 26th, 8 Kemron, and 2 Weston 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.