CERCLA Emergency Response - Removal Action

1.1.2 Site Description
On October 8, 2014, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) conducted an interview with the tenant of an apartment in Boise, ID that is suspected of buying and/or selling radioactive material on Ebay. Upon arrival at the residence, NRC observed suspected radioactive and hazardous substances. As a result, a hazardous materials response team was mobilized to assess conditions in the apartment.

Later that day the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) conducted an inspection of the apartment. IDEQ documented numerous locations and/or containers with powders, residues, and/or liquids throughout the apartment, some in unlabeled and/or open containers. IDEQ also documented equipment that could be used for chemical processing (glassware, mixing containers, etc.) as well as evidence of chemical processing (residues).  Concurrent with IDEQ, NRC conducted an inspection at the apartment. This inspection documented that the tenant had in his possession a variety of radioactive materials that included suspected uranium, uranium salts, and equipment associated with handling radioactive materials. Radiation levels in the apartment were reported to range from 0.5 mR to 1.5 mR.  As a result of these inspections, the State of Idaho requested EPA to respond to determine if there is a threat to human health or the environment.

On October 28, 2014, the EPA two storage units associated with the potentially responsible party (PRP).  The storage units are at separate locations in Boise.  Radiological material was identified in both storage units.

1.1.2.1 Location
Renaissance Apartments

6342 North Park Meadow Way

Materials reported and confirmed by radiological surveys include Americium 241, Uranium 235 and Uranium 238. Americium 241, Uranium 235, and Uranium 238 are all listed as “hazardous substances” at 40 CFR Table 302.4, Appendix B, implementing CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq.  Radioactive materials at the Site include materials from smoke alarms, radioactive pottery (orange glaze), instruments containing radium dials, uranium ore and uranium metal. Many of these items were processed and manipulated. There are various piles of radioactive solids, including powders, throughout the apartment and on the patio. There are also various radioactive liquids and residues in containers, including plastic cups, in the apartment. These radioactive materials and other CERCLA hazardous substances found inside the apartment may be released into the environment through various mechanisms, including wind dispersion from the patio deck, discharge through sink drains, and tracking on shoes and pets.

See PolRep #1 for site activities through 10/11/14.
See PolRep #2 for activities covering 10/12/14 through 10/13/14.  
See PolRep #3 for activities covering 10/14/14 through 10/16/14. 
See PolRep #4 for activities covering 10/17/14 through 10/20/14.
See PolRep #5 for activities covering 10/21/14 through 10/24/14.

10/25/2014

EPA, IDEQ, DOE RAP, ERRS, & START conducted the following activities:

Apartment Clearance
EPA and RFTL personnel along with the START contractor entered the apartment to: (1) continue to identify, document, and remove contaminated personal items; and (2) identify, document contaminated structural elements of the apartment (carpet, walls, counter tops, etc.) as encountered; (3) screen and clear personal items to be staged in a cleaned room within the apartment; (4) decontaminate and/or remove contaminated structural elements of the apartment. The screening of the living room and front closet was completed. The ERRS contractor removed all of the carpet in the living room and front door closet for proper disposal.  The ashes from the fireplace were also removed.  The living room, front closet, and the fireplace were cleaned and vacuumed.

Department of Energy (DOE) Radiation Assistance Program (RAP) support
One DOE RAP team member conducted additional isotopic analysis of radioactive materials at the site in support of disposal and off-site shipment.

Region 10 Response Support Corp Radiation Task Force Leader (RFTL) support
Two EPA Region 10 Response Support Corp Radiation Task Force Leaders continued to support site operations.

Tenant relocation and personal property
EPA continued to provide support to the tenants by providing them access to temporary housing.

10/26/2014
EPA, ERRS, & START conducted the following activities:

Apartment Clearance
RFTL personnel along with the START contractor entered the apartment to: (1) screen and take wipe samples of all the floors and walls for final confirmation that there was no further contamination, and (2) document the screening and swipe process.  The screening and wipe samples confirmed that the apartment had been decontaminated.

Garage Clearance  
A garage, belonging to the apartment complex, was used as a staging area for non-contaminated trash removed from the apartment.  In preparation for disposal, all the trash was screened and wipe samples analyzed to confirm no contamination was present.  After the garage was emptied, it was screened and wipe samples analyzed to document that the garage was clean before returning it to the apartment complex. 

Region 10 Response Support Corp Radiation Task Force Leader (RFTL) support
Two EPA Region 10 Response Support Corp Radiation Task Force Leaders completed their assistance and demobilized at the end of the day.

Tenant Relocation
EPA continued to provide support to the tenants by providing them access to temporary housing. 

10/27/2014
EPA, START & ERRS conducted the following activities:

Apartment Clearance
Apartment cleanup of radiological contamination was completed.  The screening and the analysis of wipe samples confirmed that the apartment was decontaminated and was ready to be re-occupied.  Based on a meeting with the building property manager, replacement of building materials including carpeting and certain plumbing components will be performed by the facility.

Demobilization Preparations
Two START demobilized from site.  Two remaining START prepared samples for shipment to a contract lab.  Laboratory analytical results are necessary radiological and hazardous waste profiling and disposal.

Tenant Relocation
EPA continued to provide support to the tenants by providing them access to temporary housing. 

10/28/2014
EPA, START and ERRS conducted the following activities:

Apartment Clearance
The apartment manager completed replacement of carpeting and plumbing components removed due to contamination.  The construction activities continued late into the night, allowing for reoccupation of the property by 10/29.

Garage Clearance
In preparation of returning the RP's garage unit, accumulated waste was transferred from the unit to a separate unit provided by the property manager.  A clearance survey was performed prior to end of daily operations. 

Tenant Relocation
EPA met with the temporarily relocated tenants to notify them that the temporary relocation provided by EPA would be ending on 10/28/2014 and that they would have access to and be able to re-occupy their apartment on that day. EPA also provided the tenants an inventory list of items and materials removed from the apartment for disposal. The list included a description of the item or material, the date it was removed from the apartment, and a unique identification number for the item or material. Criteria for removal and disposal were that the items and materials contained radioactive material, were contaminated with radioactive material, and/or contained or were contaminated with hazardous substances that presented a threat to public health or the environment. 
 
Storage Units
EPA and START inspected the interior of two units at two separate commercial temporary storage facility locations.  Access to the units was provided by the operator and owner of the storage facility.  Upon entry to the storage unit at the Maple Grove Road facility, radiological material was found in a toolbox.  The material consisted of an approximately 100 gram piece of dark metal.  The piece was preliminarily identified as consisting of depleted uranium and was removed by EPA for staging pending disposal.  A second unit rented by the PRP on Mitchell Street was subsequently accessed.  Upon entry to the unit, radiological material was identified as a ceramic "revigerator," along with a sander that was identified as being contaminated with radiological material.  With consent of the storage facility manager, EPA installed its own locks on the unit and left the facility pending development of a cleanup plan. 
 
10/29/2014
EPA, ERRS, & START conducted the following activities:

Waste Transport
All radiological waste accumulated from the apartment was transported by EPA to the U.S. Ecology hazardous waste facility in Grand View, Idaho for temporary storage pending ultimate disposal after laboratory analytical results and waste profiling.

Garage Clearance
Results of the clearance survey conducted the previous evening of the PRPs garage identified a localized spot of contamination. 

Resource Mobilization
One EPA Region 10 RTFL re-mobilized to the site to assist in overseeing storage unit cleanup.  Additionally, one START resource was mobilized.

10/30/2014
EPA,  ERRS, & START conducted the following activities:

Garage Clearance   

START decontaminated one localized spot of surface contamination identified in the garage unit used to stage wastes removed from the apartment.  The area was cleaned using simple green and wiped clean with shop towels.  Swipe sample results showed no remaining contamination above the clearance criteria.

Sample Shipping

Product samples collected for the purposes of waste profiling were shipped to a contract lab.  Results will take approximately three weeks due to technical requirements of the analyses.

Public and Media Outreach
A final public meeting was conducted by the EPA OSC and Idaho DEQ to inform residents of the apartment complex that all EPA cleanup activiities were complete at the apartment complex and answer any final questions.
 

10/31/2014
EPA, ERRS, & START conducted the following activities:

Garage Clearance   

The final clearance survey of the garage unit used for temporary waste storage was performed.  All meter readings and surface swipe results were below the clearance criteria. 

Waste Transport
The radiological items and surface-contaminated waste from the storage units were transported by EPA to the U.S. Ecology hazardous waste disposal facility in Grand View, Idaho for temporary storage pending laboratory results and waste profiling.  This transfer completed all shipments of radiological material to the temporary storage facility.  Hazardous (non-radiological) wastes were transported for temporary storage pending disposal to the H2O Environmental temporary storage facility in Boise, Idaho.  Three glass tubes containing small amounts of mercury were transported to the Ada County Household Hazardous Waste unit in Boise for disposal.

Inventory of Items Removed from Storage Units
The OSC provided an inventory of radiological and hazardous waste items removed from the Maple Grove and Mitchell Street temporary storage units.  The inventory was left at the front desk of the Shilo Inn in Boise where the PRP was checked in.  The PRP was called and notified that the inventory was there.

Demobilization
All EPA, START and ERRS personnel demobilized from the site.

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

Awaiting laboratory analyical results necessary for waste profiling and disposal of radiolgical waste that is in temporary storage at the U.S. Ecology hazardous waste disposal facility in Grand View, Idaho.  Contract laboratory results may take up to 3 weeks.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues