Polution Situation Report

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Ordnance Products, Incorporated Superfund Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #4
Continued Preparation and Installation at VI-47 and Reinstall System at 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:

9/27/2012

Reporting Period:

9/10/2012 - 9/15/2012

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

On September 10, 2012, ERRS continued to install lathe around the basement walls of VI-47, and continued to parge the walls. The homeowner left the doors of the home unlocked in the morning to allow EPA access to conduct the Removal activities.

On September 11, 2012, ERRS continued to install lathe around the basement walls of VI-47, and continued to parge the walls. The homeowner left the doors of the home unlocked in the morning to allow EPA access to conduct the Removal activites. Additionally, reinstallation of the vapor mitigation system at VI-46 was conducted. The small vapor mitigation fan arrived in order to be installed. An electrical subcontractor was at the site in order to disconnect the old fan and install the smaller fan to the system. The old brackets were removed from the home and replaced with steadier brackets. A smaller, 3" PVC pipe was used from the outflow of the vapor mitigation fan to the roofline of the home. The inflow and outflow pipes were painted a light gray in order to match the home's siding, as requested by the homeowner. Power was restored to the new fan, and the system was fully operational. A temporary end cap was placed at the roofline until a permanent end cap could be acquired.

On September 12, 2012, ERRS completed parging the walls in home VI-47. Again, VI-47's doors were left open by the homeowner to allow EPA access to conduct the Removal activities. ERRS began to install posts outside the home of VI-47, where the fan would be installed. The homeowner requested to have the fan installed away from the home. ERRS also cleaned and prepared half of the basement floor prior to applying epoxy paint on the floor. The epoxy was needed to prevent vapors from migrating through the floor. The other half of the basement floor would be prepared on a future day.

On September 13, 2012, ERRS applied the epoxy paint to the prepared section of the basement floor. The homeowner of VI-47 left the doors open to allow EPA access to conduct the Removal activities. During the preparation work, ERRS found a hand dug well encased in a concrete box. The concrete box had a removable concrete lid. The OSC decided to use the concrete encased hand dug well as an additional vapor extraction point. The vapor fan will pull vapors from the sump, the port in the vapor barrier of the crawlspace, and the hand dug well.

On September 14, 2012, ERRS continued to prepare the basement floor for further epoxy paint application. The homeowner of VI-47 left the doors unlocked to allow EPA access to conduct the Removal activities. ERRS also began fabrication of a window opening to allow access for the pipe to run outside. Additionally, ERRS began to run pipe from the hand dug well to the window.

On September 15, 2012, ERRS installed the vapor barrier over the crawlspace. The homeowner of VI-47 was at home to give EPA access to the basement.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Reinstallation of the vapor mitigation system of VI-46 was completed. In VI-47, the vapor barrier was installed and half of the basement floor had epoxy paint 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

ERRS would continue to work on the basement of VI-47 prior to vapor mitigation installation.

2.2.2 Issues

The temporary end cap at VI-47 needed to be replaced with a permanent cap.

2.3 Logistics Section