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 #22
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: 9/28/2011
Reporting Period: 9/17//2011 to 9/23/2011

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: A3PZ    Contract Number: EP-S3-07-03
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. POLREP 21 incorrectly reported that 15 properties were completed.  It should have read 14 properties.



Beginning  September 17, ERRS began backfilling the 16th property. 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.  A total of 8 rolloffs were used for excavation activities conducted at this property. Because of the wet weather the soil could not be compacted and prepped for sod installation this week.

During this week, when backfilling at the current residence was finished, ERRS relocated equipment and supplies to the 17th residence to be completed and began excavation in the front yard of that residence.  Certain areas of the front yard were hand dug due to the presence of shallow roots from the trees and a dog fence.  In addition, two small, isolated excavation areas were hand dug to avoid tracking equipment over clean areas.  No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area at either residence.  Backfilling is planned for next week. In the meantime, the excavation was covered with impermeable plastic sheeting prior prior to weekend cessation.  No excavation activities are required in the backyard of this property.

In addition to the excavation activities, sod was installed at the 15th property. Sod was also reinstalled at another property excavated earlier this year where sod failure had occurred due to insufficient water during the hot summer months.

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

 

A total of 86 rolloffs containing an estimated 1,376 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.

On September 23rd, the OSC received the validated data for the Phase II Assessment sampling conducted at a property on August 22nd.  Results were below removal action levels.


 
  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.  Currently excavation activities are planned to begin at the 23rd property the week of November 7th.  At this property, only the Toddler Play area requires removal action and this area will be restored with mulch.

Samples will be shipped to an offsite laboratory for Post-Excavation activities.   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.

EPA will prepare and send the results for the Phase II Assessment sampling conducted on August 22, 2011. The letter will include a map showing where the composite samples were collected.



 2.2.1.2 Next Steps
        
  
2.2.2 Issues   
   The wet weather has caused delays in performance of the work and has pushed back the schedule for completing all work. The OSC plans to complete all digging and backfilling this fall. The OSC expects to be able to install sod up to approximately the first week in November.  Since new sod requires 4 - 5 weeks of frost free temperatures to survive, some property restorations may not be completed until next Spring.
  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 September 17, 2011, 2 Kemron personnel were onsite.
On September 18, 2011, 2 Kemron personnel were onsite.
On September 19, 2011, 1 Weston, 9 Kemron, 5 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On September 20, 2011, 2 Weston, 9 Kemron, 4 Sod Works, 2 Kemron subcontractors, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On September 21, 2011, 2 Weston, 9 Kemron, 4 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On September 22, 2011, 2 Weston, 9 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On September 23, 2011, 1 Weston, 9 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite. (Shortened hours due to rain)
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.