United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

On the evening of 12/01/2008, OSC Spurlin was contacted by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) regarding the discovery of drums dumped at two locations in Hardin County, Tennessee.  The TDEC responded to the scene on 12/01/2008 to verify the site conditions.  After observing the site conditions, TDEC contacted OSC Spurlin and requested assistance with cleanup of the drums suspected to contain hazardous substances.

A solvent odor was noted near the drums and a  black tar like susbtance had released from a container.  The drums and unknown spilled material at the Swamp Road dump location were within ten feet of a tributary to the nearby Tennessee river.

Based on information provided by TDEC, the OSC determined that an EPA emergency response was necessary to address the potential threats to human health and the environment.  OSC Spurlin mobilized with ERRS and START to the incident the morning of 12/02/2008 and initiated an emergency action to collect, sample, and secure the drums.  The initial work was completed by the evening of 12/02/2008 with the transport of twenty-nine drums and several five gallon buckets to a secure location on city property.

Nine samples were collected for analysis by an off-site lab.  Sample results will be used to characterize the waste streams for disposal.  Once the waste streams are profiled and approved for disposal, EPA will return to the site to transport the material to an approved disposal facility.

There were no identifying markings on the containers related to a potential source.