A. On February 5, 2005, a tractor trailer owned by Logistics International-Georgia was traveling southbound on I-81 through Augusta County, Virginia when the brakes on the truck caught fire. The driver pulled off the road and was able to disconnect the tractor from the trailer; however, the trailer shortly caught fire. The driver contacted 911 and emergency crews responded.
B. EPA assistance with I-81 Tractor Trailer Chemical Spill site was requested on 2/18/05 by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ).
A. On February 22, 2005 at 0900 hours, EPA, START contractor (Tetra Tech) and ERRS contractor (Industrial Marine Services) met on-site with representatives of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ), Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VADEM) and Haz/Mat 2000 Inc. to perform a site walkthrough and for EPA to be briefed on the circumstances on what lead to the release. VADEQ briefed the OSC on the fire and what steps had all ready been taken. The OSC observed green liquids in the culverts running under southbound I-81 and also coming out of culvert on the northbound I-81. There also was green liquid in the tributary leading from the northbound I-81 culvert. During the walkthrough, VADEQ reported to the OSC that they observed a dead catfish in the tributary on the goat farm property that was not there on previous inspections. Two Godwin pumps were located on-site and were being using to divert the uncontaminated surface water from the site to a culvert south of the site. Also, there was an excavator on-site that was used by Haz/Mat 2000 Inc. to dig a hole for the clean water to accumulate while being pumped. OSC Kelly directed the ERRS contractor to transfer the contracts for these pieces of equipment from Haz/Mat 2000 Inc. to the ERRS contractor and to maintain the operation of the pumps.
B. While waiting for all the other agencies to arrive on site, the resident living adjacent to the site approached OSC Kelly and inquired about getting the MSDS sheets for the products that were in the trailer. He stated that his wife was hospitalized Sunday, February 20, 2005 and the doctors were interested in what chemicals were released during the fire. OSC Kelly told the resident that he would provide him with the MSDS sheets as soon as he received them.
C. After the site walkthrough, VADEQ escorted the OSC and contractors to the VDOT truck yard where the waste from the site was stored in a fenced area. The OSC observed 4 totes, 15 drums, several piles of soil, and under a poly cover there were damaged drums and truck flooring (see photos on web site www.epaosc.org/chemicalspill). The OSC also observed green liquid in the fenced area and inquired about it. OSC Kelly was informed that Haz/Mat 2000 Inc. washed out several of the damaged drums and that some liquid residue was released to the soil.
D. The OSC, along with the contractors (START and ERRS) then traveled to VDEQ headquarters in Harrisonburg, VA to review all analytical taken to date and develop a work plan to be done in the upcoming days. VADEQ also stated that there were 5 homes in the immediate area that had drinking wells. OSC Kelly directed START to draft a letter to these home owners to request permission to take a sample of their drinking water.
E. OSC questioned VADEM about fish and wildlife being notified and was informed that they were not, but VADEM would notify them.
F. While at VDEQ Headquarters, OSC Kelly received a voice mail from the president of the shipping company (Luster-On Products, Inc.) and his attorney. OSC Kelly returned the call to the shipping company president. The president of the company was interested in what waste was on-site and how much it would cost to remove it. OSC Kelly gave him the list of what was in the fenced area at the VDOT yard and told him that he would give him an estimate of cost removal later in the day.
G. At 1430 hours, OSC Kelly then received a phone call from a Mr. Ty Sullivan representing Clean Harbors. Mr. Sullivan stated that he was contacted by the president of the shipping company to possibly remove the waste. OSC Kelly explained to Mr. Sullivan what waste was on-site and it was agreed that that if the shipping company hired Clean Harbor, they would send out a company representative to look at the waste and start disposal operations.
H. While awaiting a call back from Mr. Sullivan, OSC Kelly tasked the ERRS contractor to plan for transportation and disposal of the waste in the event the company does not take control of the waste. The ERRS contactor found a transporter and waste facility to accept the waste products.
I. At 1630 hours, OSC Kelly delivered the MSDS sheets to the property owner who requested them earlier in the day.
J. At 1830 hours, via email, OSC Kelly provided the shipping company with the estimated amount ($15,000) to remove the generated waste. The OSC has not heard back from the shipping president to date.
K. On February 23, 2005, the ERRS contractor, after coordinating with VDOT the previous day to close the southbound shoulder of I-81, began operations by shoveling and staging debris and pressure washing the shoulder of the highway to remove the chemical residue.
L. Analytical results of the soils taken from the location of the truck fire to the storm water culvert under southbound I-81 revealed that there was chromium as high as 7000 ppm at the surface.
M. The OSC directed the ERRS contractor to excavate and stage the soils from this area. Approximately 20 to 30 tons of contaminated soil was removed and staged. Poly was placed over the soils to prevent any run-off if there was inclement weather.
N. The START contractor began sampling event. They collected 9 surface water and 15 soil/sediment samples along the storm water drainage system. The surface water samples will be analyzed for the dissolved chromium and silver and the soil/sediment samples will be analyzed for total chromium and silver. START collected 1 asphalt sample to be analyzed for total chromium and silver after pressure washing had been completed on the shoulder of I-81. Also, START collected 4 soil/sediment samples for chromium VI and pH. One surface water sample was taken and will be analyzed for chromium VI, pH, and nitrates.
O. OSC Kelly received a call from EPA ORC lawyer in regards to access. The area that has been impacted in the right of way of I-81 and VDOT has given EPA verbal permission to conduct removal operations. It was agreed that a document would be created that would give EPA written permission to be conduct removal operations on the properties involved. Additionally, VADEM reported to the OSC that the trailer was not placarded properly and the OSC requested that the lawyer contact CID and get guidance on whether or not this was a criminal offense.
P. On February 24, 2005, the weather forecast was for several inches of snow to arrive and the forecast for the following days is for rain. The OSC determined that no further removal actions could be completed at the time and demobilized the START and ERRS contractor until Tuesday, March 1, 2005. The OSC directed the ERRS contractor to leave two personnel onsite over this period to maintain the pump operations. The OSC notified VADEQ and VADEM of these actions.
Q. Interested parties can view photo documentation and reports at www.epaosc.org/chemicalspill.
Current removal actions include excavation of comtaminated soils and removal of liquids.
Further actions will be determined once analytical results are received and reviewed by the OSC.
A. EPA, ERRS, and START contractors will remobilize to the site on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 to begin removal operations on Wednesday, March 2, 2005.
B. START will provide analytical data from initial sampling event on February 23, 2005 for the OSC to determine cleanup actions levels for the site.
C. The OSC, ERRS, and START will prepare a work plan for remediation of the contaminated soils and surface water.
D. The OSC will obtain access from the property owners to sample drinking water wells in the area.
E. START will prepare for multimedia sampling of groundwater wells, surface water, soil and sediments.
F. The OSC will continue to coordinate actions with VDOT, VADEQ, VADEM, and other agencies.
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