U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
La Cordillera Mercury - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
Subject: POLREP #1
Initial and Final, Completion of Fund-Lead Removal Action, RV-1
La Cordillera Mercury
A22S
Ciales, PR
Latitude: 18.3082681 Longitude: -66.5220156

To:
From: Geoffrey Garrison, On-Scene Coordinator (OSC)
Date: 9/19/2013
Reporting Period: 12/11/2012 - 09/13/2013

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: A22S    Contract Number: EP-S2-10-03
D.O. Number: 0061    Action Memo Date: 3/20/2013
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Emergency
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 12/17/2012    Start Date: 12/14/2012
Demob Date: 3/21/2013    Completion Date: 9/13/2013
CERCLIS ID: PRN000206674    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification: 12/11/2012
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Emergency Response, Fund-Lead Removal Action.

1.1.2 Site Description

The Site description and characteristics vary in that several areas are being addressed.  The primary area where the elemental mercury was first identified, and from which mercury was later transported to other areas, consists of a small corner lot used by the municipality to house a USPS community mailbox.  The mailbox area itself (approximately 200 square feet) consists of a concrete slab, small grassy area, a small roof cover and aluminum mailboxes to service approximately 40 families. Two local schools and three residences were also impacted with mercury contamination that was carried by students and required a removal action.

1.1.2.1 Location

The primary area is located at a rural intersection in the Parcelas La Cordillera, Ciales, Puerto Rico. This community mailbox sits on a corner intersection just off PR-146, on an upslope of what used to be a cattle farm 35 years ago, at some point (at least 25 years ago) it was converted to the current configuration with approximately 80 residences clustered near the mailbox. The two impacted schools (Cristobal Vicent Elementary School (CVES) and Juan Corretger High School (JCHS)) are located within five miles of the primary site.  The physical location of the three mercury contaminated residences are all located within one mile of the primary area.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The threat at this site is from mercury contamination that impacted several residences, at least two public schools and a common area of a residential development.  There was an ongoing threat to public health, welfare and the environment from the mercury contamination being released.  The serious nature of the actual release of elemental mercury was evidenced by the direct exposure of dozens of school children and faculty at two schools.   In addition, private residences were identified as being contaminated with mercury above EPA removal action levels. 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Under the direction of the EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OSC), Weston Solutions, Inc., Removal Support Team 2 (RST 2) conducted air monitoring for mercury vapors using a Lumex RA-915+ on December 14, 2012 at the above-mentioned school and two additional schools where mercury spills were suspected.  The two additional schools were the Juan Antonio Corretjer High School and the Cristóbal Vincens Elementary School.  Results from these screenings indicated elevated levels of mercury vapors at maximum detected concentration of 2,400 nanograms per cubic meter (ng/m3) and 30,000 ng/m3 respectively.  Elevated mercury vapors were not detected at the third school.  RST 2 also screened three residences where mercury contamination was suspected.  Results from these screenings indicated elevated levels of mercury vapors maximum detected concentration of 1,500 ng/m3 40,000 ng/m3 and 20,000 ng/m3. 

On December 18, 2012, RST 2 performed a more detailed air monitoring investigation at Juan Antonio Corretjer High School .  The areas identified with concentrations of mercury vapors above 1,000 ng/m3 were as follows (maximum concentration in parentheses): southeastern stairwell (5,000 ng/m3), northwestern stairwell (70,000 ng/m3), and southwestern third floor hallway (16,000 ng/m3). 

On January 11, 2013, RST 2 conducted a subsurface soil investigation at 10 locations at and around the source of the mercury contamination.  RST 2 subcontracted the drilling company, GeoEnviro Tech, Inc., to advance 10 soil borings with a Geoprobe® Model 6600 at locations chosen by the EPA OSC.  Prior to any drilling, GeoEnviro Tech, Inc. performed a utility mark-out to locate possible obstructions and buried utilities.   Borings were advanced to either 4 or 8 feet, as determined by the EPA OSC, and field screening was performed at 1-foot intervals with the Lumex RA-915+ by RST 2 to determine if elevated mercury vapors were present.  Mercury vapors were detected at levels above 1,000 ng/m3.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

On December 11, 2012, the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (EQB) verbally requested assistance from EPA to address a mercury spill at the Toribio Rivera Middle School (TRMS) located in Ciales, Puerto Rico.  The EPA Removal Support Team (RST2) was mobilized and conducted air monitoring for mercury vapors at the school.  The results indicated concentrations of mercury above the EPA action level of 1µg/m3 in two areas, the history classroom and in the school counselor’s office.  The respective readings recorded were 33µg/m3 and 1.45µg/m3.   EPA and school officials isolated the impacted areas and investigated the source of the release.  Based upon information obtained during the TRMS investigation, the mercury contamination was believed to have originated from a common area of the residential development frequented by students.  The interviews with the students revealed that they found beads of mercury in the ground near the La Cordillera community mailbox.  The community mailbox serves as the postal delivery point for the nearly 40 homes in that development.  The students came in direct contact with the mercury beads at that location and subsequently transported it to the school.

On December 13, 2012, EPA conducted mercury air monitoring at the homes of three students who had come in direct contact with the mercury from the common area around the mailboxes.  Two of the homes contained levels of mercury ranging from 15µg/m3 to 44 µg/m3. On December 14, 2012, EQB formally requested EPA assume the lead for mitigating the threats posed by this Site which became the official start date of the removal Action.

EPA further learned of the potential for mercury contamination at two other schools. The two newly identified schools were the Cristobal Vicent Elementary School (CVES) and the Juan Corretger High School (JCHS).   On December 15, 2012, EPA conducted air monitoring for mercury at both of these schools.  The screening of CVES did not reflect the presence of any mercury vapor.  However, the JCHS did reflect high concentrations of mercury vapor in two areas.  These areas included the stairs located across the school cafeteria (10-14 µg/m3) and the West Wing of the Third Floor Hallways (40-60 µg/m3).  

 

As a precaution, on December 20, 2012, EPA conducted air monitoring at the Head Start School, also located in Ciales.  This sampling event was appropriate since children who attend that school also live in the La Cordillera residential development and had access to the mailbox area.  Air monitoring at this school did not indicate any mercury contamination.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

EPA activated the Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor on December 14, 2012, to initiate mitigation activities at this Site.  ERRS mobilized to the site on December 17, 2012 and implemented decontamination procedures at the mailbox area and private residences identified through RST air sampling.  Post decontamination sampling of each of these areas was also conducted by RST to verify the effectiveness of clean up activity.  Each area was successfully decontaminated and released by EPA for normal occupancy. The mercury removal action at the Juan Corretger High School was conducted by contractors hired by the PR Public Buildings Authority in coordination with the PR Department of Education as a PRP-Lead removal action for which details can be seen at another website: www.epaosc.org/escuelajuancorretjermercury.

Mitigation of the mailbox area is complete.  Decontamination of the impacted surfaces has been accomplished where appropriate.  Contaminated soil was excavated and staged.  Post excavation sampling and analysis confirmed the extent of the excavation was sufficient to mitigate the threat to public health, welfare and the environment. Concrete walkways surrounding the mailbox area had to be demolished due to mercury contamination.  Restoration of the excavated areas is now complete.  The area was restored to pre-existing conditions.  The disposal of all excavated and contaminated material from this Site was done in accordance with the EPA Off-Site rule.  The final shipment of material for transportation and disposal took place on March 21, 2013, and consisted of 10 drums (55 gal) of mercury contaminated debris, 17 drums (55 gal) of mercury contaminated soil, 5 drums (55 gal) of mercury contaminated concrete/soil and one lab pack with 20 pounds of elemental mercury and material with visible mercury beads.  March 21, 2013 was also the demobilization date for ERRS. 


2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

To date, EPA has not identified a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) for the mercury contamination at the primary Site near the community mailbox.  The local government agency investigations were likewise unable to determine the original source of the mercury contamination. The investigation will be re-opened if additional information concerning a viable PRP is presented to EPA.


2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
Mercury Debris  Debris 10 ea. - 55 Gal Drums     Penuelas Vally Landfill, Carr. 385 Km 4.5 Bo. Tallaboa, Penuelas PR
Mercury Contaminated Soil  Soil 17 ea - 55 Gal Drums     Penuelas Vally Landfill, Carr. 385 Km 4.5 Bo. Tallaboa, Penuelas PR
Mercury Contaminated Soil and Concrete  Solid 5 ea - 55 Gal Drums     Penuelas Vally Landfill, Carr. 385 Km 4.5 Bo. Tallaboa, Penuelas PR
Elemental Mercury and Material W/Beads  Liquid  20 Lbs. 008557947JJK   Cycle Chem Inc., 217 S. First St., Elizabeth NJ


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Removal Action is complete, no anticipated activity.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

None at this time.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Coordinate with the Office of Emergency Management (OMME in Spanish) for the Ciales municipality to periodically monitor the primary site for evidence of mercury re-contamination.

2.2.2 Issues

 None
  2.3 Logistics Section
    Nothing significant to report (NSTR).
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer

NSTR

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

NSTR

2.5.3 Information Officer

The EPA Region 2 Public Affairs Branch Public Information Officer (PIO) and the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division (CEPD) Community Involvement Coordinator (CIC) provided assistance for the removal due to the high level of interest by media organizations, both newspaper and TV news.

A joint public meeting was hosted by the PR DOH, US EPA, AEMEAD, PR EQB, and the Ciales OMME on December 18, 2012.

The PR DOH provided select residents and school faculty with the results of medical screening for mercury esposure on January 9, 2013, at the incident command post, Parcelas La Cordilla, Ciales. PR.

EPA issued a press release on the status of the removal action o January 10, 2013; this press release can be found in the documents section for the site.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command

A Unified Command was stood up for the La Cordillera Mercury removal action.

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

PR Environmental Quality Board (PR EQB)
PR Department of Health (PR DOH)
Agencia Estatal para el Manejo de Emergencias y Administracion de Desastres (AEMEAD)
US EPA
4. Personnel On Site
  The following organizations were on site to conduct the removal Action or were in support :

EPA Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) Contractor (ER) - 5
EPA Removal Support Team (RST2) Weston Solutions Inc. - 2
EPA Emergency Response Team (ERT) - 1
EPA OSC -1
5. Definition of Terms
 
See the Mercury Response Guidebook (prepared by EPA Region 5, dated July 2004) for a defintion of terms used frequently during mercury removals.  A copy of this guide is available in the documents section of the webpage created for this site at www.epaosc.org/lacordilleramercury 
 
6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

See the documents section of the webpage created for this site at www.epaosc.org/lacordilleramercury 
for addional information and documents pertaining to the removal action.


6.2 Reporting Schedule

End of the removal action; no further POLREPS forthcoming.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.