This site is a former fireworks manufacturing facility. During World War 2 some munitions manufacturing may have occurred. Wastes onsite include fireworks components spread throughout the site in a number of small buildings and trailers. Many of these buidlings and trailers are unsecured and in poor condition. The site is fenced, but the fencing was in poor condition with a number of openings in it (as of 3/29/07). On 3/25/07, a building onsite caught fire (allegedly started by vandals) and burned.
On 3/28/07, OSC Gregory Ham issued a Special Bulletin to activate an emergency response on site to address the hazards posed by potential fireworks and fireworks components onsite. On 3/29/07, the OSC and technical and cleanup contractors mobilized to the site, collected 21 samples of various materials onsite. These included samples from a drum labeled potassium perchlorate and samples from several bags labeled hexachloroethane (a listed hazardous substance), and samples from fireworks tubes containing a grey powder. On 4/3/2007, a hazard categorization was conducted on each of these samples. The results revealed 9 substances that were oxidizers, 5 shock sensitive/reactive, 4 flammables, 2 combustible, and 2 that gave off colored smoke (a number of samples were in multiple categories above). 9 samples gave no reactions. These samples will be further analyzed in fixed labs.
The suspected hazardous/flammable materials onsite were overpacked or bagged and stored in two secure locations onsite, awaiting sample results for final disposition. The operator of the site has agreed to repair the fencing onsite.
Await sampling results to determine proper disposal methods for the identified materials. If offsite disposal in needed, prepare materials for shipment and arrange for proper disposal.
A work plan for a full removal assessment of the site is being developed by EPA. The potentially responsible party will be given an opportunity to conduct the assessment. If not able or willing to do it, EPA will proceed with the assessment.
Possible ordinance onsite.
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