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Activities from 3/12 thru 3/15 included data entry and data review. EPA OSC and its Start/Reac contractor personnel reviewed Lumex scanning data. Data blips (above background) locations were revisited by contractor and investigated for gross contamination. All such areas were evaluated and cleared. This process was completed on 3/16/05.
On 03/16/05 the Cardozo Hg Site Clearance Committee convened at the Site. The OSCs and ERT presented the site data to the committee during the morning hours. The group than walked the school with the full data package. The group than sequestered itself for the afternoon hours to deliberate over all site relevant data. A final statement regarding reoccupancy is due by 03/17/05. The statement will be delivered to DCDOH for their final reoccupancy recommendation.
On 03/17/05, after much legal consideration, the locker Hg scanning effort began. EPA is operating in a support role to DCPS, with DCDOH on site providing the consult to DCPS regarding whether a locker is contaminated or not. DCDOH provided this same consult during the student screening throughout this response. The EPA established SOPs to guide the locker screening process. These SOPs include:
EPA is subject to strict legal constraints during the conduct of the opening and monitoring for possible trace mercury contamination in the student lockers at Cardozo High School. As such, the following roles and responsibilities were discussed and agreed upon by all involved parties:
•EPA’s role is limited to placing a Lumex probe into lockers opened by Public School Authorities and recording readings at the bottom, middle and top of each locker.
•EPA will not open any lockers, nor touch contents therein. EPA personnel (including their support contractors) who will operate the Lumex mercury vapor analyzers will be accompanied by a team of DC Public School personnel who will open and shut the student lockers.
•EPA will provide technical assistance and recommendations to the DC Department of Health, but does not set action levels for any type of subsequent actions.
•The DC Department of Health (DOH) has agreed to provide a representative at Cardozo during the student locker survey and will make all determinations as to when follow up investigations (if any), or possible removal activities (if any), should be conducted.
•The DC Public School representative will provide the personnel to conduct any follow-up activities deemed appropriate by the DC DOH.
EPA has agreed to conduct this support at Cardozo to address potential health concerns resulting from possible cross contamination that may have occurred during the intentional mercury release.
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