U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT Ordnance Products, Incorporated Superfund Site - Removal Polrep UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Region III
Subject:	POLREP #2 Preparation and Installation of Mitigation System for Home VI-46 Ordnance Products, Incorporated Superfund Site MDD982364341 North East, MD Latitude: 39.6311190 Longitude: -75.9214070
To:
From:	Francisco J. Cruz, On-Scene Coordinator
Date:	9/4/2012
Reporting Period:	06/14/2012 - 09/04/2012
1. Introduction   1.1 Background     Site Number: MDD982364341    Contract Number:   D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:   Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action NPL Status: NPL    Operable Unit: Mobilization Date: 8/29/2012    Start Date: 6/14/2012 Demob Date:      Completion Date:   CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID: ERNS No.:    State Notification: FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #: 1.1.1 Incident Category CERCLA 1.1.2 Site Description The Ordnance Products Incorporated Superfund Site (OPI) consists of a 95 acre property located in North East, Maryland. OPI was historically occupied by an ordnance component manufacturing facility from 1960 to 1972. The plant produced, stored, and packaged grenade fuses, detonators, and related devices for the U.S. military. Waste from the manufacturing process was either buried onsite in open pits or discharged to five unlined surface impoundments. After manufacturing work ended in 1972, waste material remained in the surface impoundments or was buried in pits and trenches throughout the site. These wastes included drums of solvents and acids, detonators, and grenade fuses. The Removal Action being conducted at OPI is occurring at two private residences near the site. 1.1.2.1 Location The site is located near Mechanics Valley Road in North East, Maryland. 1.1.2.2 Description of Threat Trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated groundwater from the site is causing hazardous vapors to enter two homes near the site. Both homes exhibit indoor air levels of TCE above 6.3 parts per billion (ppb). Current EPA guidance advises that a Removal Action should be conducted if indoor air levels are above a Hazard Index (HI) of 3. The HI of 3 for TCE is above 6.3 ppb. 1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results EPA's Remedial Program conducted indoor air sampling events in September 2009. Two homes during the sampling event were shown to have elevated levels of TCE. The highest indoor air level in a home identified as VI-46 was 13 ppb. The highest Indoor air level of TCE in a home identified as VI-47 was 97 ppb. Although the levels were not deemed elevated at the time, when numbers were reevaluated with EPA's 2012 Regional Screening Levels Residential Air Table, the levels do appear to pose a threat to human health. 2. Current Activities   2.1 Operations Section     2.1.1 Narrative In July 2012, EPA, accompanied by START and ERRS contractors, conducted several trips to prepare for the installation of the vapor mitigation systems in homes VI-46 and VI-47. During those visits, the OSC discussed with residents the installation process and approximate timetable for completion. The homeowner for VI-47 provided verbal access to EPA to conduct response activities, and agreed to leave a door open to allow access to the home. On August 29, 2012, ERRS began installation of piping for the mitigation system. The homeowner provided access to the basement in order to run piping from the sump area to the outside. A hole was drilled into the top of the the sump box and the side of the home in order to run the pipe. ERRS used 4" Schedule 80 pipe, as requested by the homeowner. ERRS' electrical subcontractor was on site to conduct the appropriate electrical connections for the fan. The fan was not available the day of the installation, and was agreed to be installed on September 5, 2012. 2.1.2 Response Actions to Date EPA conducted several visits to determine the manner in which the mitigation systems would be installed. 2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) The OSC will coordinate with enforcement staff, as necessary. To date, a viable PRP has not been identified for the site.   2.2 Planning Section     2.2.1 Anticipated Activities Installation of the mitigation systems will continue in VI-46 and VI-47. In addition to mitigation system installation, the basement of VI-47 will need to be prepared in order to prevent vapors from migrating into the home. 2.2.2 Issues The brackets for the piping in VI-46 do not appear to be sufficient. ERRS will reevaluate the bracing system and investigate better ways to anchor the piping to the house.   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 Francisco J. Cruz - USEPA 3. Participating Entities   USEPA 4. Personnel On Site   EPA - 1 START - 1 ERRS - 2 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.