U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT Eastern Plating Fire - Removal Polrep UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Region III
Subject:	POLREP #3 Voluntary Cleanup Continues Eastern Plating Fire Baltimore, MD Latitude: 39.2790181 Longitude: -76.5677062
To:
From:	Gregory Ham, On Scene Coordinator
Date:	5/11/2012
Reporting Period:	May 3 - 11, 2012
1. Introduction   1.1 Background     Site Number: A3UG    Contract Number:   D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:   Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type:   Response Lead: PRP    Incident Category: NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit: Mobilization Date:      Start Date: 4/23/2012 Demob Date:      Completion Date:   CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID: ERNS No.:    State Notification: FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #: 1.1.1 Incident Category Emergency response due to a fire at an anodizing facility. 1.1.2 Site Description Former anodizing operation in a small brick building located within a residential community. 1.1.2.1 Location 1200 South Bayliss Street, Baltimore, MD 21224 1.1.2.2 Description of Threat Primarily sulfuric, chromic, and nitric acids in open vats. 1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results During the fire large volumes of water were poured on the site.  Since the acids were in open vats, the water mixed with the acids and flowed out of the building into two adjacent alleys.  The fire department put hoses on each alley to dilute the acid, which flowed down the alleys, into storm drains, and eventually to the harbor.  Tests at the outfall into the harbor indicated that the liquid was approximately neutral pH at the discharge. 2. Current Activities   2.1 Operations Section     2.1.1 Narrative The Baltimore City Haz Mat unit, the Maryland Department of the Environment Emergency Response Division, and EPA are overseeing the cleanup of the site.  2.1.2 Response Actions to Date   On Wednesday, May 2, 2012 the tanks containing rinsewater for the chromium process (which most likely has chromium in it and cannot be discharged to the sanitary sewer in accordance with the City discharge permit) were pumped out into a tanker truck for proper treatment/disposal by the facility that Eastern Plating routinely uses for chromium waste disposal.  1,475 gallons were reported as being removed.  However, upon arrival the disposal facility reported a corrected amount of 1,783 gallons. Composite sample results from the remaining tanks/vats indicated that there are still high levels of chromium that will not allow discharge of all the liquids to the sanitary sewer in accordance with the discharge permit.  Eastern identified the vats that it believes may be responsible for the higher levels of chromium and is analyzing the individual samples from these vats.  If these are high in chromium, the liquids in the vats will be drummed and shipped offsite for disposal.  The remaining liquids will be neutralized as needed and then discharged in accordance with the discharge permit.  All the remaining vats that have liquid in them have been covered with tarps to prevent the addition of rainwater and resultant spillage. On May 11, 2012 the two dumpsters containing nonhazardous debris were picked up and transported for disposal.  2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) Work is currently being done voluntarily by the PRP. 2.1.4 Progress Metrics Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal  Acid wastes, sulfuric  liquid  1,300 gal  008980654JJK      Acid wastes, chromic  liquid  2,350 gal  000184652JJK      Chromium rinsewater  liquid  1,783 gal  009701032JJK      Non haz debris  solids  2 rolloffs         2.2 Planning Section     2.2.1 Anticipated Activities Continued oversight of PRP activities by MDE and EPA. 2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities Liquid wastes that may be discharged to the sanitary sewer will be placed in a tank to be brought onsite on Monday, May 14, 2012.  Once the wastes are accumulated, a sample will be taken to ensure compliance with the discharge permit.  If in compliance, the City will be notified, and they will be provided with the sample results, and will be able to take a sample if needed prior to approving the dishcarge. Any remaining small amounts of liquid and debris in the tanks and in the building sump will be drummed and tested for proper disposal, according to the company owner.   Arrangements have been made with a vendor who supplies materials for the company to remove the usable materials in the storage area to be taken to the company's other location for use in their process. Once the sampling results for the debris in the building are received, the environmental consultant for the company will develop a plan for disposal of the debris in the building.  Once the plan is approved and the City Fire Department gives the OK, the debris will be removed for proper disposal. 2.2.1.2 Next Steps Continued sampling and removal of all wastes and debris in the building. 2.2.2 Issues   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     No information available at this time. 3. Participating Entities   3.1 Unified Command 3.2 Cooperating Agencies Baltimore City Fire Department Haz Mat Unit, MDE, US Coast Guard, EPA. 4. Personnel On Site   EPA OSC Greg Ham was onsite and May 4th and 11th during this reporting period. 5. Definition of Terms   No information available at this time. 6. Additional sources of information   6.1 Internet location of additional information/report www.epaosc.org/easternplating 6.2 Reporting Schedule 7. Situational Reference Materials   No information available at this time.