On the morning of 17 November 2004, an individual, hence known as suspect, residing at 59326 Harrison Road in Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana (LA) sprayed a neighbor with an acid-like substance causing a burning sensation on his arm. The victim notified the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office (STPSO) who dispatched four officers to the house. While the officers were arresting the suspect, they were overcome with vapors inside the house. Therefore, the STPSO notified the St. Tammany Parish Government Code Enforcement (STPGCE) and the St. Tammany Parish Fire Department (STPFD) about the potential of dangerous vapors as well as the numerous containers of suspicious hazardous substances and explosive materials observed in the suspect’s home. Subsequently, the STPFD contacted the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) for assistance.
The LDEQ, LSP Hazardous Materials (HazMat) and Bomb Squad Units mobilized to the house later on 17 November 2004. The LSP Bomb Squad Unit enter the premises and searched for explosive devices and booby traps; however, none were found. Therefore, the LSP HazMat Unit entered the house and conducted an investigation about the suspected hazardous substances. The LSP HazMat Unit documented numerous containers labeled as hydrochloric acid, muriatic acid, sulfuric acid, and pesticides. Also, approximately 215 one-gallon, un-marked, plastic jugs containing unknown liquids were discovered in and outside the house. After the LSP and LDEQ completed the initial assessment, the LDEQ decided to contact and request assistance from EPA.
At 1158 hours on 18 November 2004, the National Response Center (NRC), Incident Report No. 741779, was notified by the LDEQ about the suspect in question who was storing numerous containers of potentially hazardous substances at his home. The NRC contacted EPA Region 6 Response and Prevention Branch who subsequently mobilized an EPA On-scene Coordinator (OSC) and the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START-2) to the house to investigate and conduct all relevant emergency response activities.
At 0725 hours on 19 November 2004, the EPA OSC and START-2 arrived at the house and met with representatives from LDEQ and the EPA Criminal Investigation Division. A briefing was held about the investigation activities to date and about the potential hazards. START-2 entered the house in Level B personal protective equipment (PPE), sketched a detailed floor plan, recorded the marked and un-marked containers, conducted photographic and videographic documentation, and performed ambient air monitoring. Air monitoring readings revealed no elevated levels of volatile organic compounds in the ambient air above background. START-2 noted numerous marked and un-marked containers of various sizes scattered throughout the interior of the house. In addition, numerous one-gallon, plastic jugs and 5-gallon buckets were also observed dispersed outside the house.
START-2 re-entered the house in Level C PPE, conducted a detailed inventory of containers, and attempted to characterize the contents of selected containers. START-2 noted approximately 21 five-gallon containers, approximately 115 one-gallon containers, and more than 100 miscellaneous containers inside of the house. START-2 also found approximately 31 one-gallon containers, 13 bags, and 9 dozen cans of chemicals in the carport area of the house. Furthermore, approximately 100 one-gallon containers and 15 five-gallon containers were located outside of the house. Field screening tests conducted on the liquid contents of 13 containers found that one container had a pH of 0 and another container with a pH of 14.
EPA, LDEQ, and St. Tammany Parish officials will review all site investigation materials and determine next steps.
Since the house is in deteriorating condition and has no utilities including electrical, water, and sewer services, its has been posted do not enter or occupy. The Parish is proposing that the property must be brought up to current code or be condemned.
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