2.1.1 Narrative
EPA began a Time-Critical action consisting of the removal of over 1,100 containers of hazardous waste on August 24, 2015.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
On 12/5/2015 and 12/6/2015, no site work occurred. 24-hour security was onsite.
12/7/15 – The crew began waste bulking of the flammable mixtures
identified by the chemist on 12/4/2015. During waste bulking of the flammable
materials, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in the breathing
zone above the site Action Level of 100 parts per million (ppm) for the flammable waste streams. Therefore, the
crew upgraded to Level B PPE during waste bulking of the materials. The crew
also collected 3 samples from a cubic yard box containing bulked materials with
high cyanide levels (10-30ppm). The
three samples were collected from the top, middle, and bottom of the cubic yard
box. The chemist conducted bucket tests
to determine the efficacy of neutralizing the high cyanide levels using bleach
additives. The crew also continued loading bags with used PPE and sampling
supplies into the roll-off dumpster.
12/8/15 – The crew completed waste bulking of the flammable
mixtures. The chemist generated three
new lists of containers with acidic solids, which included a total of 15
containers. The crew completed waste
bulking of all the materials except vat V006.
The crew also gathered empty containers and dip baskets from the
southern building, and continued cutting empty containers and loading them into
the roll-off dumpster. One roll-off dumpster containing cut empty drums and
used PPE and sampling supplies was removed from the site and transported for
disposal at Michigan Disposal Waste Treatment located at 49350 North I-94
Service Drive, Belleville, Michigan, 48111.
12/9/15 – The crew completed transferring the acidic solid wastes from
vat V006. The chemist generated a list of 40 containers with cyanide containing
neutral solids, and the crew began waste bulking the materials. One roll-off dumpster containing cut empty
drums was removed from the site and transported for disposal at Michigan
Disposal Waste Treatment in Belleville, Michigan. The crew also began cleaning,
sealing, labeling, and staging shippable containers with bulked waste which
will be transported offsite on 12/10/15.
12/10/15 – The crew continued waste bulking the cyanide containing
neutral solids. Two loads were transported offsite for disposal. 30 drums, 4
totes, and 6 cubic yard boxes containing waste corrosive materials were transported
for disposal at Michigan Disposal Waste Treatment in Belleville, Michigan; 1
drum and 2 totes containing waste corrosive liquids were transported for
disposal at EQ Detroit located at 1923 Fredrick Street, Detroit, Michigan,
48211; and 38 drums and 3 totes containing waste flammable liquids were transported
for disposal at Petro-Chem Processing Group located at 421 Lycaste Street,
Detroit, Michigan, 48214. The crew also continued cutting and loading empty
drums into the roll-off dumpster. Crews also moved waste containers out of the
southern staging area in the building, and cordoned off the area with caution
tape due to a potentially failing roof in the area. The crew will not enter the
area until a building inspector or civil engineer confirms the stability and
safety of the roof.
12/11/15 – The crew completed waste bulking of the cyanide containing
neutral solids except tank T012 (a 2,000-gallon metal AST containing sand) and
vat V051H (a 600-gallon vat located underneath a catwalk). The chemist
generated a list of 35 containers with non-cyanide containing alkaline liquids
and solids, and the crew began waste bulking the materials. The crew also
continued cutting and loading empty drums into the roll off dumpster.
On 12/12/2015 and 12/13/2015, no site work occurred. 24-hour security was onsite.
12/14/2015 – The crew continued waste bulking of the non-cyanide
containing alkaline liquids and solids.
The crew also continued cutting empty poly drums and flattening empty
steel drums, and loading them into the roll off dumpster. One load was
transported offsite for disposal. 9 drums and 19 cubic yard boxes containing
non-hazardous alkaline solids were transported for disposal at EQ Detroit in
Detroit, Michigan.
12/15/2015 – The crew completed waste bulking of the 35 containers of
non-cyanide alkaline liquids and solids.
The chemist generated a list of 16 containers with combustible solids,
and the crew completed waste bulking the materials. The crew also continued
cutting empty poly drums and flattening empty steel drums, and loading them
into the roll off dumpster.
12/16/2015 – The chemist generated a list of 6 containers with strong
acids, and the crew completed waste bulking the materials. Several of the
strong acids created heavy acid fumes, therefore, the crew completed the waste
bulking activities in Level B PPE. The crew also continued cutting empty poly
drums and flattening empty steel drums, and loading them into the roll off
dumpster. The crew also began cleaning, sealing, labeling, and staging
shippable containers with bulked waste which will be transported offsite on
12/17/15.
12/17/2015 – The chemist generated a list of 13 containers with oxidizing
solids and sludge, and the crew began waste bulking the materials. One roll-off
dumpster containing cut and flattened empty drums was removed from the site and
transported for disposal at Michigan Disposal Waste Treatment in Belleville,
Michigan. Also, one load of shippable containers was transported offsite for
disposal. 6 drums containing corrosive liquids, and 13 drums and 14 cubic yard
boxes containing non-hazardous alkaline solids were transported for disposal at
EQ Detroit in Detroit, Michigan. The crew also began decontaminating equipment. 6 members of the City of Jackson Fire Department were onsite, and toured the outside of the site buildings. The Fire Department members observed the areas where the crew will secure the building.
12/18/2015 – The chemist added 12 containers with oxidizing solids and
sludge to the previous list, and the crew continued waste bulking the
materials. The crew also continued
decontaminating equipment and staging the equipment for demobilization. The
chemist conducted bucket bulking tests, and submitted 8 samples for laboratory
analysis.
On 12/19/2015 and 12/20/2015, no site work occurred. 24-hour security was onsite. 5 crew members
and 2 USCG personnel demobilized on 12/19/15. Additional equipment was also
demobilized.
12/21/2015 – The crew completed waste bulking of the oxidizing solids
and sludge. The crew also continued
decontaminating equipment, covering waste materials in the building with poly sheeting,
and securing the site buildings in preparation for the holiday break. The crew
staged the skidsteer, mini-excavator, and generators outside the building to be
demobilized.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Michner Plating Company is the potentially responsible party (PRP), however, the company relinquished ownership of the property to the Jackson County Treasurer's Office due to tax reversion and bankruptcy. The removal action is a Fund Lead as a result of the PRP's bankruptcy and inability to finance the cleanup.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
Date |
Waste stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
units |
Manifest Number |
Treatment |
Disposal |
11/18/2015 |
RCRA empty containers
& debris |
Solid |
20 |
cubic yards |
015269770 |
NA |
Michigan Disposal
Waste Treatment |
11/18/2015 |
RCRA empty containers
& debris |
Solid |
20 |
cubic yards |
015269771 |
NA |
Michigan Disposal
Waste Treatment |
12/4/2015
|
RCRA empty containers
& debris |
Solid |
20 |
cubic yards |
015269767 |
NA |
Michigan Disposal
Waste Treatment |
12/8/2015 |
RCRA empty containers & debris |
Solid |
20 |
cubic yards |
015268769 |
NA |
Michigan Disposal Waste Treatment |
12/9/2015 |
RCRA empty containers & debris |
Solid |
20 |
cubic yards |
015269768 |
NA |
Michigan Disposal Waste Treatment |
12/10/2015 |
Corrosive Liquid |
Liquid |
1045 |
gallons |
014463806 |
NA |
Michigan Disposal Waste Treatment |
12/10/2015 |
Corrosive Liquid |
Liquid |
555 |
gallons |
014463807 |
NA |
EQ Detroit |
12/10/2015 |
Corrosive Liquid |
Liquid |
18,105 |
gallons |
014463808 |
NA |
Michigan Disposal Waste Treatment |
12/10/2015 |
Flammable Liquid |
Liquid |
2,340 |
gallons |
014463810 |
NA |
Petro-Chem Processing |
12/10/2015 |
Flammable Liquid |
Liquid |
500 |
gallons |
014463811 |
NA |
Petro-Chem Processing |
12/14/2015 |
Non-Hazardous Solids |
Solid |
33,000 |
gallons |
014463819 |
NA |
EQ Detroit |
12/17/2015 |
RCRA empty containers & debris |
Solid |
20 |
cubic yards |
015516432 |
NA |
Michigan Disposal Waste Treatment |
12/17/2015 |
Corrosive Liquid |
Liquid |
330 |
gallons |
014463864 |
NA |
EQ Detroit |
12/17/2015 |
Non-Hazardous Alkaline Solids |
Solid |
31,000 |
pounds |
014463864 |
NA |
EQ Detroit |
|