At 1656 EST on 18 March 2008, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) notified the National Response Center (NRC#865386) of a discharge of materials from multiple containers at a former metal plating facility in Malakoff, Henderson County, Texas. TCEQ representatives stated that the site was previously operated by BBB Bumper Manufacturing and has been out of operation for at least eight years. The site is located near downtown Malakoff, adjacent to a retail shopping center and a church.
On the afternoon of 19 March 2008, EPA OSC Eric Delgado, EPA OSC John Reinhart, and START-3 contractors arrived on-site to perform an emergency removal assessment of the site. EPA OSCs met on-site with TCEQ representatives to collect information regarding the facility’s history and the nature and extent of the release. A subsequent visual inspection of the site was conducted.
The exterior of the facility building showed signs of heavy deterioration with open drainage pathways allowing for offsite migration of contaminants. Stained soils were visible around the perimeter of the building. During the course of the investigation, EPA observed vehicle and pedestrian traffic including small children in the shopping center and roads adjacent to the facility. Due to the degree of deterioration and ease of egress, it can be concluded that the site is unsecured.
The interior of the building showed further signs of deterioration and poor housekeeping. The building houses fifteen open top vats utilized in the metal plating process. These vats contain various levels of liquid and/or solid materials of unknown composition and are all showing extensive signs of corrosion. Sixty 55-gallon drums are present onsite of which at least twenty-four contain unknown liquids. Labels on these drums indicate that they originally contained chemicals used in the metal plating process including nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nickel chloride, chromium plating reagent, and calcium hypochlorite. Additionally, evidence of occupation by vagrants was observed within the building.
Air and radiation monitoring was conducted both inside of the building and at the site perimeter with no readings observed above background levels.
EPA will coordinate with state and local officials to determine any further response and possible removal actions.
Proximity of the site to residential and commercial areas may constitute a hazard to the public. Poor site conditions may result in offsite impacts by hazardous materials present onsite. Lack of security and ease of access to the site may present a hazard. Local merchants reported seeing children entering the building.
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