United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region X
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

CAPC is a medium sized commercial metal plating facility that performs several kinds or electroplating.  Historically the site has been used for plating operations with zinc, nickel, copper, chromium, silver, gold, tin, and cadmium.  Although processes varied from one metal to another, their general process involved pre-cleaning with caustic solution or solvent, acid pickling (which eliminated scales remaining after cleaning), metal plating, and often a final chromate dip to protect plated surfaces.  Zinc plating is currently the primary process at the site.  The facility employed approximately 13 people.

The primary concern at this Site was the threat of fire and explosion.  The secondary concern is the threat posed by CERCLA hazardous substances and pollutant or contaminants releasing from abandoned drums, Above Ground Storage Tanks (AST's) and process area vats.  Drums and containers onsite will continue to deteriorate over time.  As a result, the potential of solvents, acids, bases, oil, and toxic chemicals to be released to the environment is high.

See initial Polrep for further background information.

Monday, June 23, 2003

EPA OSC (1), USCG PST (2), START (4), and ERRS (7) members on site.  ERRS bulked 2500 gallons of liquid Sulfuric/Hydrochloric Acid for offsite disposal.  START collected liquid samples from a single green above ground storage tank located in the Waste Water Treatment area, and from several bulked sludges from beneath the vat lines inside the main plating area.  

Tuesday, June 24, 2003

EPA OSC (1), USCG PST (1), START (4), and ERRS (7) members on site.  ERRS filled and removed two  roll off bins with RCRA debris.  ERRS continuing bulking and segregating lab chemicals into wastestreams for disposal.  START collected liquid samples from gold and silver plating vats to analyze for precious metals content and potential recovery.  START Haz-catted six liquid samples (1,447 total samples haz-catted to date).
          
Wednesday, June 25, 2003

EPA OSC (1), USCG PST (1), START (6), and ERRS (7) members on site.  EERS bulked and removed approximately 13,000 gallons of caustic liquids 7,612 gallons of which contained cyanide(CN).  ERRS completed bulking lab chemicals and initiated overpaking them.  ERRS pumped and cleaned the remaining 6,500 gallon Baker Tank for removal from the site.  START collected a liquid sample from the 20,000 gallon Baker Tank containing contact waters for off site analysis.  To date 1,451 liquid samples have been hazard categorized, and 77,065 gallons of bulk caustic liquids have been removed from the site.

Thursday, June 26, 2003

EPA OSC (1), USCG PST (1), START (5), and ERRS (7) members on site.  One Non-RCRA roll off was removed from the site.  6,500 gallon Baker tank was removed from site.  ERRS continued removing vats, and debris from plating shop, and is approximately 50% complete regarding this aspect of the removal.


Friday, June 27, 2003

EPA OSC (1), USCG PST (1), START (5), and ERRS (7) members on site.  ERRS continued to remove vats and plating line assembly to facilitate sampling underneath the plating line.  ERRS also had the last 6500 gallon Baker Tank removed from site.

ERRS will prepare and submit a Request for Bid (RFB) regarding the transport and disposal of approximately 26 seperate waste streams associated with the lab packs.  ERRS is also discussing the possibility of rebidding the CN and non-CN sludges for T&D in the hopes that more competitive pricings could be obtained.  

ERRS will access subsurface soils for the START team in the main plating area by cutting through the concrete pad  and exposing native soils.

START will initiate a subsurface sampling effort the week of July 7-12, 2003 to determine the degree and severity of subsurface contamination throughout the site.  An addendum to the Site Specific Sampling Plan (SSSP) and Health and Safety Plan will be completed prior to those activities.

Where appropriate, ERRS will continue bulking hazardous waste by waste stream and remove via vacuum truck, baker tank, or drums, for proper disposal.   START will continue staging and HAZCATing unknown drums and containers as well as manage on site water accumulation.  As time allows, ERRS will continue removing contaminated debris, characterize sludges and liquids beneath vats in plating room as well as remove all sludges and liquids from floor and wastewater treatment unit.

Please refer to Polrep #5 for all updated Waste stream information.