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 #30
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:

11/23/2011

Reporting Period:

11/11/2011 to 11/18/11

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

Currently a total of 23 properties require removal activities. Twenty-two 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.

On November 14th, excavation activities were started at the 23rd property. Most of the front yard was excavated. On November 17th, backfilling activities began on the western side of the front yard. Excavation activities included hand digging around trees and driveway to avoid damage of both areas. Heavy equipment was used in both areas to complete excavation activites. 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 during evenings until backfill was installed. The entire excavated area was covered with impermeable plastic at the end of the work day on November 18th and will not be uncovered until the crew returns to work on November 29th.

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

A total of 131 rolloffs containing an estimated 2,096 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste. A total of 5 rolloffs were used at property 23. During this month, 13 rolloffs were received and staged onsite; 3 were shipped off for disposal by November 18th.

Crew was demobed on November 19th for the Thanksgiving holiday.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

If the ground temperature holds above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and is projected to remain so through mid-December, then sod will be installed in the front yard of the 23rd property the week of November 28th. Otherwise, seeding and erosion control matting will be installed.  ERRS will continue to water sod, as needed, at properties indicated by EPA.

Post-excavation samples will be shipped to an offsite laboratory for arsenic and lead analysis. Post-excavation walk-throughs are being scheduled at residences at which inital rooting of the sod has occurred. Initial rooting of the sod can take approximately three to four weeks. EPA will prepare the closeout letter for those properties where we have completed post-excavation walkthoughs.  This letter will include a map showing where EPA excavated and restored the property. Post-excavation sampling results will be provided in a separate letter due to the extended turnaround time for the receipt of the validated data.

Crew will remobe on November 28th to complete work at the last property.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps




2.2.2 Issues

       None

2.3 Logistics Section