A storage tank at the Allied Terminals collapsed on Wednesday, November 12, 2008, spilling about two million gallons of urea ammonium nitrate liquid fertilizer into the adjacent area. The spill originated from the Allied Terminals in Chesapeake, VA. The spill flooded the secondary containment for Tank 201 and spilled onto three adjacent city streets. Two people were seriously injured in the collapse and taken to a hospital. A total of 12 homes were evacuated during parts of the response.
EPA On-scene Coordinators (OSCs) mobilized to the site on November 12, 2009, to provide support to the City of Chesapeake Fire Department (CFD) and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ). The CFD and the VDEQ have requested EPA continue to provide technical support as necessary at Allied Terminals in response to the spill.
The Allied facility hired HEPACO to conduct the cleanup. The cleanup focused on removing liquids and fertilizer-saturated soils from residential areas first, and second, on removing liquid fertilizer from the secondary containment for Tank 201. Approximately 1.8 million gallons of product were recovered. Over 200,000 gallons of liquid fertilizer may have reached the Elizabeth River or may still be contained within soils surrounding the site.
This Pollution Report (POLREP) covers site activities from July 13, 2009 through September 22, 2009. It provides an update and analytical findings from the most recent round of EPA sampling conducted on June 19, 2009.
During this period, EPA OSCs maintained limited on-site activities. EPA OSCs Laura Casillas and Chris Wagner continue to periodically visit the site and communicate with local jurisdictions regarding any potential impacts to the health of the residents, or the Elizabeth River.
On September 17, 2009, EPA received validated analytical results from its June round of sampling. No elevated levels of Nitrogen were detected in two drinking water wells in the neighborhood. Elevated levels of ammonia and nitrogen were detected around drainage ditches and surface waters as expected. These elevated levels of ammonia and nitrogen have been reviewed by the OSC in consultation with the ATSDR, and are not considered to cause adverse health effects. VDEQ and Allied continue to work on site remediation.
EPA validated analytical results are posted in the documents section of this web site. Information considered to be Confidential Business Information has been redacted.
EPA does not have a Superfund Removal Action planned for the site at this time.
EPA is following up on the Chemical Safety Board recommendations detailed in its Allied Terminals May, 2009 findings report.
Because of the large size of this spill and of the land it impacted, it will take some time to address fertilizer residues in the soil. Allied and VDEQ continue to work on how to address fertilizer residues.
The primary health concern at the Site would be Ammonia vapors. The EPA OSC has reviewed air monitoring data at the site. Ammonia vapors have not been detected and therefore do not pose a health threat to residents. Elevated levels of Ammonia are unlikely to resurge at the site because fertilizer residues have now been out in the soil for a long period of time and the Ammonia vapors are no longer present at high levels. EPA will still continue to monitor the potential for Ammonia vapors to resurge, as a precaution.
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