United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The Site, Kidney Specialist of Savannah Clinic, is a business housed within a single story, brick building located at 500 E 66th Street, Savannah, GA. Geographical coordinates for the Site are North Latitude 32.03029 x West Longitude -81.09736. In response to NRC Report #874319, and at the request of Savannah Fire Departments' Hazardous Materials Division (Hazmat), EPA mobilized to the clinic to provide air monitoring at the incident involving the release of elemental mercury inside the clinic. The release originated from a Sphygmomanometer. Savannah Hazmat, first responder to the Site, recovered and staged the mercury but lacked the specialized equipment needed to provide adequate screening for mercury vapors.

June 26th

- Lumex confirmation testing (exclusive of the 2 isolated source rooms) confirmed ATSDR recommended attainment goals for the south side of the building inclusive of the reception and patient waiting room. Kidney Specialists of Savannah has been given clearance to conduct business as usual although that business is confined to the south end.
- The site access and egress was reoriented to allow for the operation of the facility.  In addition, the PRP contractor has brought in a mobile command post to provide respite for extreme heat, improve communications capabilities, and augment logistical support.
- The north side of the building is experiencing borderline attainment readings.  The OSC is allowing accompanied administrative access to the north side offices. Based on Lumex readings, the OSC recommended the removal of the doctor's office carpeting next to the 2 source areas. This action was done first thing this morning. In addition, the OSC recommended the repair of the nonfunctional attic fans in the north end. The doctor's office still emits levels approaching 5000 ng/m3 in the breathing zone although floor level readings are below 1000 ng/m3.  The apparent stagnant air will be vented through the attic fan to the atmosphere.
- Continued demo and decon is taking place in the 2 source rooms. The PRP contractor is conducting this action in level C.  These actions include cabinet/shelving demo and sill plate removal in the exam room followed by mercury vacuuming and mercury decon wash.
- During demo and decon the exhaust pipe emits approximately 25000 ng/m3 and afterwards settles to an approximate constant discharge of 15000 ng/m3 at days end.
- PRP contractor work times have shifted to 4am till 2pm in order to adjust to the extreme heat and minimize the risk of heat stress.
- The perimeter continued to be monitored for mercury vapors using the Lumex.

The finalized Waste Disposal Plan has been posted on the website in the documents section.
https://www.epaosc.net/sites/4171/files/waste%20disposal%20plan%20kidney%20specialists%20of%20savannah.pdf


Two rolloff containers have been staged onsite. One potential hazardous waste/debris, the other nonhaz waste/debris.

Contaminated furniture and personal items that are currently staged in the large onsite tent undergoing passive venting will undergo more aggressive decon and venting in the near future.

Due to the pressing nature of providing health care to kidney compromised patients, the OSC is providing oversite aimed at achieving acceptable air quality in the building while simultaneously isolating/containing and remediating the 2 source areas.