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 #27
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: 11/2/2011
Reporting Period: 10/21/2011 to 10/28/2011

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 22 properties require removal activities.  Eighteen properties have been completed to date.  "Complete" refers to excavation being complete and the yard being restored with sod.  Additional watering activities are conducted at a given property after being completed.   

Beginning October 21, ERRS continued excavation at the 20th property.  Certain areas of the back yard around the resident's pool and driveway need to be hand dug.  Excavation is required in portions of the back and front yards at this property.  Backfilling in the back yeard was completed in stages to increase the likelyhood of restoring the yard with sod before the weather gets too cold.  Samples were be collected prior to backfilling.  No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area during this time period.  All excavation areas were covered with impermeable plastic prior to weekend cessation. In addition to excavation activities, sod was installed at the 19th property, on October 26.

Preliminary data from the property at which Phase II samples were collected last week indicate elevated levels of arsenic in the front, side, and back yards.  The property will likely be included for removal, pending validated data and access from the resident.  Validated data is due next week.

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

A total of 117 rolloffs containing an estimated 1,872 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste.  There are currently 5 rolloffs staged onsite, two containing soil and three empty.  Two of the empties are for soil and one is for 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.  Currently excavation activities are planned to begin at the 22nd 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.  Pending receipt of validated data and access, the 23rd property will be added to the schedule.

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.




 2.2.1.2 Next Steps
        
  
2.2.2 Issues     

       Weather continues to hamper operations somewhat.  However, ERRS contractor has been able to stay close to our projected schedule for excavating and backfilling.   
     


  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 October 21, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 2 Sod Works personnel were onsite. 
On October 22, 2011, 9 Weston, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 23, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On October 24, 2011, 1 Weston, 9 Kemron, 2 Kemron subcontractors, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 25, 2011, 2 Weston, 10 Kemron, 5 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 26, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, 4 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 27, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, 1 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 28, 2011, 2 Weston, 9 Kemron, and 1 EPA 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.