United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region VI
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

At 1057 on 30 August 2004, a representative of Valmont Oklahoma Galvanizing, Coatings Division, notified the National Response Center of a release of approximately 1000 gallons of 92% sulfuric acid.  The release resulted from the failure of a 3000 gallon above ground storage tank.  The cause of the failure is under investigation. The Verdigris Fire Protection District (VFPD) initially responded to the incident.  The Claremore, Oklahoma and Catoosa, Oklahoma Fire Departments also responded to the incident.  The VFPD evacuated approximately 35 people from two nearby businesses downwind.  Eighteen (18) workers were sent to the local medical facility, 17 were later released.  One person is being kept overnight for observation.  The released sulfuric acid flowed over a concrete finished product storage area and into a drainage ditch.  A temporary earthen containment berm was constructed in the drainage ditch to contain the sulfuric acid.  According to the VFPD, no sulfuric acid flowed offsite.  The Claremore FD conducted air monitoring using chemical detection tubes.  Air monitoring results indicated no elevated levels of contaminants.

START personnel observed no evidence of sulfuric acid beyond the temporary earthen containment berm.  The weather forecast for the area is clear with no rain for the next six days.  All 18 workers sent to the hospital on 30 August 2004 have been released with no injuries.  

For actions taken prior to 31 August 2004, see POLREP No. 1.

On 31 August 2004 at 1030 hours, RP Contractors, Sooner Emergency Services (Sooner), arrived onsite and began testing the release area for pH.  According to the Sooner representative, during the night the pH in some areas had dropped down to between 1 and 2.  At 1245 hours on 31 August 2004, Sooner began increasing the size of the earthen berm in the drainage ditch and constructing a second earthen berm at the edge of the concrete pad to catch runoff to be removed with a vacuum truck.  At 1425 hours on 31 August 2004, Sooner began to wash the concrete pad with high pressure water to remove the sulfuric acid/lime slurry and wash it downgrade to be collected within the containment berm at the edge of the concrete pad. The runoff collected within the berm was removed with a vacuum truck once the pH was adjusted to between 2 and 10. At 1656 hours on 31 August 2004, START-2 briefed OSC Clark of the situation.  At 1715 hours, on 31 August 2004, START-2 departed the site.

PRP cleanup contractors will continue cleanup under ODEQ oversight.

START will monitor cleanup activities through ODEQ and PRP personnel.

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