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United
States Environmental Protection Agency
Region VI
POLLUTION REPORT
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| Date: |
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
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| From: |
Mark Hayes
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| To: |
R6 PolRep LA, Response and Prevention Branch
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Sam Coleman, Superfund Division
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Debbie Dietrich, Office of Emergency Management
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Ragan Broyles, Response and Prevention Branch
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Subject:
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Final POLREP
Chalmette Mercury Spill
2917 Corinne Street,
Chalmette, LA
Latitude: 29.9408900
Longitude: -89.9450500
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| POLREP No.: |
10
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Site #:
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| Reporting Period: |
10/2/07
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D.O. #:
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0701-007
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| Start Date: |
6/29/2007
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Response Authority:
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CERCLA
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Mob Date: |
6/30/2007
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Response Type:
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Emergency
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| Demob Date: |
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NPL Status:
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| Completion Date: |
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Incident Category:
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Removal Action
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| CERCLIS ID #: |
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Contract #
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EP-S6-07-01
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| RCRIS ID #: |
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On 27 June 2007, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) contacted the EPA Region 6 hotline to report a mercury release at a home in Chalmette Louisiana. The EPA subsequently notified the National Response Center (NRC 840234) of the release. The release was originally reported to the LDEQ by the Children’s Hospital of New Orleans, La. The residents’ youngest child became ill a few weeks ago and was being treated at the Children’s Hospital. After several examinations, the residents brought to the doctor’s attention that they recently had found mercury within their home. The child was then tested for mercury poisoning, and tests indicated that the child had mercury levels approximately 40 - 70 times that of normal levels.
On 28 June, START-3 conducted an assessment of the residence. Initial air monitoring conducted by START-3 indicated levels of mercury in air of up to 60 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). Based upon the START-3’s report, EPA senior management was briefed on the situation. On the morning of 29 June, ERRS was verbally tasked to conduct a site walk that same day utilizing the OSC’s warrant authority for emergency actions.
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On 3 October 2007, EPA monitored Hg vapor levels within a conex box that is being used to store the resident's personal property. The Personal property was screened during the removal action and was determined safe to keep. Inside the conex box, EPA observed an initial Hg vapor reading of 1.2 µg/m3 and within 3 minutes the Hg vapor concentration fell to 0.2 to 0.4 µg/m3.
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As of October 3, 2007 EPA's removal action at the residence has been completed, and no further actions are planned at this time.
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The Louisiana Office of Public Health has concerns about the family re-occupying the residence. EPA's cleanup action of the residence was thorough and done per ATSDR Suggested Cleanup Levels.
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Budgeted |
Total To Date |
Remaining |
% Remaining |
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Extramural Costs
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| ERRS - Cleanup Contractor |
$200,000.00 |
$94,945.67 |
$105,054.33 |
52.53% |
| START-3 |
$61,000.00 |
$52,500.00 |
$8,500.00 |
13.93% |
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Intramural Costs
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| Total Site Costs |
$261,000.00 |
$147,445.67 |
$113,554.33 |
43.51% |
* The above accounting of expenditures is an estimate based on figures known to the OSC at the time this report was written. The OSC does not necessarily receive specific figures on final payments made to any contractor(s). Other financial data which the OSC must rely upon may not be entirely up-to-date. The cost accounting provided in this report does not necessarily represent an exact monetary figure which the government may include in any claim for cost recovery.
response.epa.gov/chalmetteLAmercuryspill
POLREP #10 Last Updated 10/10/2007
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