U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Beta Chem Laboratory - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VII
Subject: POLREP #4
Beta Chem Laboratory
B783
Lenexa, KS
Latitude: 38.9473349 Longitude: -94.7535919

To:
From: Doug Ferguson, OSC
Date: 5/28/2014
Reporting Period:

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: B783    Contract Number: EP-S7-13-05
D.O. Number: 0029    Action Memo Date: 4/17/2014
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 5/5/2014    Start Date: 5/5/2014
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID: KSN000705028    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification: State Referred the Site
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Time-Critical Removal Action of hazardous substances, including assessment for radiation contamination.

1.1.2 Site Description

Beta Chem Laboratory is a defunct radio-pharmaceutical synthesis lab.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located at 14410 West 100th Street, Lenexa, Johnson County, Kansas. The Site is located in an industrial park. The Site is within a portion of a building in the Noon Industrial Park. 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

See POLREP number 1.
 
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

See POLREP number 1.


2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

A total of 1,078 chemical containers have been inventoried at the site most of which have intact labels believed to accurately reflect their content. Of these 1,078 containers, 276 had hand written, indecipherable or missing labels. The contents of these containers were field screened and assigned hazard groups based on their properties. Virtually all of the surfaces in the lab, including the chemical containers, have elevated counts of radiation as measured with the Ludlum 2241 Meter equipped with a 44-9 "pancake" probe. Additionally, several radiation source materials have been identified and segregated at the site. Initial radiation screening of the contents of containers indicate a number of the chemicals have radioactive contamination mixed in with them.

Air monitoring results have not detected significant concentrations of volatile organic compounds as measured with a photoionization detector. Additionally, the oxygen concentrations were found to remain constant at 20.9% and the percent of the lower explosive limit was zero. There were not any significant detections of air borne radiation contamination in samples collected onto air filters counted by the Ludlum Model 3030 Drawer Alpha-Beta Counter. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Actions conducted during the period of May 27-30, 2014: 
  • Field screening activities continued for the 1,078 chemicals on the inventory list.  
  • Approximately 200 smaller quantity containers were segregated into hazard groups to further stabilize materials at the site.  
  • Disposal companies were requested for the disposal of site wastes; no bids were received. One company has requested additional radiation characterization data for the chemicals.
  • Additional interior surface radioactive contamination characterization occured.

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

PRPs have been identified for the site including the operator of the facility and the owners of the building.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

The anticipated waste streams for the site are listed below. Further research by site personnel and disposal companies will determine the final waste streams.

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
 flammable   liquid        
 flammable  solid        
 corrosive, acid  liquid        
 corrosive, base  liquid        
 corrosive, base   solid        
 oxidizer  solid
        
 oxidizer liquid        
 organic peroxide  liquid        
 water reactive  solid        
 water reactive  liquid        
 air reactive  solid        
 mixed waste  s, l, g        
 toxic  s, l, g        
 compressed gas  g        
 radioactive  s, l        


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Continue to segregate chemicals by hazard categories. Obtain services to characterize radiation content of chemical containers.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Segregate waste streams based on disposal criteria, determine acceptable levels of radiation contamination for mixed versus hazardous waste, dispose of hazardous materials off-site. Complete radiological assessment of the site.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Determine best disposal method based on bids from disposal contractors.

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
    2.5.1 Safety Officer

Doug Ferguson EPA
Danny O'Connor START
Bryant Merriman START
Keith Brown START

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

Doug Ferguson EPA

2.5.3 Information Officer

Chris Whitley EPA
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
4. Personnel On Site
  Doug Ferguson EPA OSC
Tom Mahler EPA OSC
Chuck Hooper EPA Radiation Program
Danny O'Connor EPA START
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.