Polution Situation Report

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 #21
On-going 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:

9/21/2011

Reporting Period:

9/9/2011 to 9/16/2011

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. Fifteen properties have been completed to date.

On Sept 9th, crew began setup at the next property. The week of Sept 12th, ERRS finished excavation in the backyard at the current at the residence. Certain areas of the back yard were hand due due to the presence of shallow utilities related to the resident's pool. The toddler play area and portions of the back yard were excavated to a depth of at least six inches. The areas were back filled with certified clean topsoil. Samples were collected from the base of each excavation prior to back filling. No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area at either residence. A total of 8 rolloffs were used for excavation activities conducted this week.

During this week, when the current residence was finished, ERRS relocated equipment and supplies to the next residence to be completed and began excavation in the backyard of that residence. Certain areas of the back yard were hand dug due to the presence of shallow utilities related to the resident's pool and septic system. The back yard was excavated to a depth of at least six inches. A small vegetable garden area, approximately 7 x 10 feet is in a bed adjacent to the back of the house within the backyard dig zone. This area was excavated to a depth of at least 12 inches. No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area at either residence. A total of six rolloffs were used for excavation activities conducted this week. All excavated areas were covered with impermeable plastic sheeting prior to weekend cessation.

ERRS continues to water the sod each day at properties identified by EPA. Sod was not watered if it rained.

A total of 84 rolloffs containing an estimated 1,344 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste. There are currently three rolloffs staged onsite, one containing soil and two containing debris.

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.

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 as properties indicated by EPA.

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 walk-throughs are being scheduled at residences at which excavation activities have been completed.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps


2.2.2 Issues
   The wet weather has caused delays in performance of the work. To date, five ERRS working days were lost to wet weather. Also, sod can not be cut if too wet, which has caused delays in Sod installations.

2.3 Logistics Section