U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Crowson Avenue Mercury Spill - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
Subject: POLREP #2
Mercury Cleanup Begins
Crowson Avenue Mercury Spill
A3VG
Baltimore, MD
Latitude: 39.3518595 Longitude: -76.6108507

To:
From: Gregory Ham, On Scene Coordinator
Date: 2/6/2013
Reporting Period: 1/29 - 2/8/13

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: A3VG    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 2/4/2013    Start Date: 1/4/2013
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
    Removal action.
1.1.2 Site Description

This site includes a residential property where a family resided up until September, 2012.  The house became contaminated with mercury on or about September 27, 2012 after a plumber removed an expansion tank from the second floor of the house, and carried it down the steps and out the front door.  There is mercury contamination in the closet from which the tank was removed, in the second floor hallway, on the steps going down to the first floor, and in the first floor entranceway.  There is also contamination in the basement, where the plumbers removed a section of pipe that had been connected to the expansion tank.  This is evidenced by elevated mercury readings in these areas and visible beads of mercury in cracks on the floor and in the section of pipe that remains in the basement.  After removing it from the house, the plumbers placed the tank on the ground in the front yard, contaminating this area as well.  They then loaded the tank into one of their vehicles and removed it from the property.  Once the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) was notified of the situation by the homeowner, an MDE representative contacted the plumbers, and took custody of the tank (and contaminated clothing that the plumbers had worn).  The site includes the residential property as well as all locations to which mercury from the residential property has migrated or otherwise come to be located.  

 

1.1.2.1 Location
    The property is located in the 4900 block of Crowson Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland.  It is located in a residential neighborhoon.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
    An unknown quantity of mercury was spilled in the house during removal of an expansion tank on the second floor that at some time in the past was part of the home heating system.  It was no longer in use.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Elevated levels of mercury were observed in the residence.  Levels up to 94.5 micrograms per cubic meter were observed in the room from which the expansion tank was removed.  Visible beads of mercury were observed in the second floor room, on the steps leading to the first floor, and in the basement.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative
    The MDE requested EPA assistance.  The homeowner also requested EPA assistance.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
    On January 4, 2013, On Scene Coordinator (OSC) Gregory Ham, with contractor support and an MDE representative, conducted a removal site evaluation of the property.  Based on the observations during the January 4th evaluation, an Action Memorandum was signed on January 29, 2013 authorizing a removal action at the site due to the threat caused by the release of mercury.  On February 4, 2013, EPA mobilized to the site with cleanup contractors and a technical support contractor to begin cleanup of the property.  The grossly contaminated areas of the home were sealed off from the rest of the home by covering doors with poly sheeting and tape.  All items have been removed from the contaminated areas, have been placed in bags, and will be tested to determine if they are contaminated.   To date, most of the items have been cleared. The contaminated areas have been vacuumed and had mercury absorbing solution applied several times. This process will be repeated until the vapor levels in the house are acceptable at the appropriate temperature range. After increasing the house temperature to 65 degrees F, the vapor levels in the closet were still elevated. on Thursday  Based on this, it was decided to remove a section of hardwood floor where the spill initially occured.  Mercury beads were observed on the insulation between joists.  The insulation was removed, and this area was vacuumed and sprayed.  On Friday, additional areas of floor are being removed, as elevated mercury vapor levels are still being observed (although levels have decreased). Mercury levels in the basement are significantly reduced.  One more treatment of this area is planned.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
    The agency is gathering information on PRPs and will follow up as necessary.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
           
           
           


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
    Continued vacuuming and application of mercury absorbing solutions in contaminated areas until acceptable vapor levels are achieved in the home.  Continued testing of items removed from the home to determine if they are contaminated.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
    2.2.1.2 Next Steps
    Continue cleanup actions.  Once the grossly contaminated areas are addressed, other areas of the house will be evaluated to determine if they are also contaminated.  This will be followed by testing of vapor levels throughout the home.
2.2.2 Issues
    There have been no issues to date.
  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
No safety issues reported to date.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer

2.5.3 Information Officer
A fact sheet will be developed and distributed to the neighborhood explaining the actions at the site, and providing information about mercury contamination.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
    Maryland Department of the Environment, USEPA
4. Personnel On Site
      For the week of February 4, 2013, OSC Ham and 5 EPA contractors were onsite.
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/crowsonavehg
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Polreps will be filed approximately weekly.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  1.  Chemical-Specific Health Consultation for Joint EPA/ATSDR National Mercury Cleanup Policy Workgroup Action Levels For Elemental Mercury Spills March 22, 2012

2.ATSDR Record of Activity, Technical Assist, January 22, 2013.