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 #28
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: 11/9/2011
Reporting Period: 10/28/11 to 11/04/11

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 primarily 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

Validated data was received for the property at which recent Phase II sampling was conducted.  The data indicates elevated arsenic levels in the front, back, and side yards.  The property has been added to the list for removal activities.  This property has been scheduled to begin excavation activities the week of November 14th.year.

Currently a total of 23 properties require removal activities.  Nineteen 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.

During the week of October 31st, excavation activities were completed at the 20th property.  Excavation activities included hand digging around the pool and driveway, and excavation with heavy equipment in other areas of the front and back yards.  Backfilling in the back yard was completed in stages to increase the likelyhood of restoring the yard with sod before the weather gets too cold.  However the unexpected snowstorm resulted in sod installation being rescheduled for the week of November 7th. Post excavation samples were collected from the property 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. Excavation activities were begun on the 21st property on November 4th.  This property will continue to be excavated and backfilled the week of November 7th.

Newly installed sod was watered at each property as identified by EPA.  Sod was not watered if it rained. 

A total of 122 rolloffs containing an estimated 1,952 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste.  A total of 16 rolloffs were used at the 20th property.  Currently two rolloffs have been used at the 21st property.   There are currently 5 rolloffs staged onsite, four containing soil and one partially filled with debris. 


 
  2.2 Planning Section
   
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

 
The Property specific work plans for the 23rd property will be prepared next reporting period. Currently excavation activities are planned to continue on the 21st property and begin at the 22nd property the week of November 7th.  At the 22nd property, only the Toddler Play area requires removal action and this area will be restored with mulch.  The 23rd property is scheduled to begin the week of November 14th. It is likely that this property will be restored with seed and erosion control matting in December.  Final restoration will be completed in the Spring of 2012.

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, the projected schedule for excavating and backfilling continues to be met.  Operations will continue as long as weather is manageable.   
     


  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 28, 2011, 2 Weston, 9 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 29, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On October 30, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On October 31, 2011, 1 Weston and 9 Kemron personnel were onsite.
On November 1, 2011, 2 Weston, 10 Kemron, 2 Kemron subcontractors, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On November 2, 2011, 2 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On November 3, 2011, 2 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On November 4, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 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.