On 16-JUN-05, OSC Stilman mobilized to the Broken Sound Anthrax Site to conduct a removal site evaluation, based on a request from the Palm Beach County Health Department (PBCHD). On 12 June 2005, the PBCHD contacted EPA regarding flooding in the basement of 5401 Broken Sound Blvd. In October of 2001, 5401 Broken Sound Blvd. (former AMI Building) received a package or letter contaminated with bacillus anthracis (BA). Sampling by EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and the building owner’s contractor found BA throughout. In July of 2004, the building owner’s contractor decontaminated the three top floors using chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Before decontamination, papers, photos and other office supplies were boxed, placed on pallets and moved to the basement. Approximately 600 pallets of this material, presumed to be contaminated with BA, were originally placed in the basement. The basement was formerly used as a parking garage and is approximately four feet below ground surface and open to the air. In May of 2005, the building owner’s contractor began transporting the palletized material to an auto-clave for treatment. On 30-May-05, operations were halted due to a contract dispute. Between 01-JUN-05 and 15-JUN-05, the owner attempted to stabilize the contaminated boxes and prevent flood waters from contacted the boxes. On 15-JUN-05, the PBCHD found operations on site being conducted in an unsafe manner and halted all work. On 16-JUN-05, OSC Stilman mobilized to the Site and met with the PBCHD. On 17-JUN-05, the PBCHD and Florida Department of Health, by letter, formally requested EPA assistance with potential releases of BA from the Site. There are approximately 400 pallets with 6,000 boxes of material presumed to be contaminated with BA left in the basement. The boxes are being stored in the building’s basement.
EPA OSC Stilman initiated an emergency removal action to stabilize and secure the contaminated material, and prevent further impact by flood waters, establishing a $250,000 ceiling.
ERRS contractor WRS has been mobilized to conduct the removal as directed by the OSC. The PBCHD is also on site to assist with the response.
On Monday, 20-JUN-05, EPA, WRS and their sub-contractor arrived on-scene. Upon arrival, it was noted that the building owner was pumping water from the basement to the parking lot and storm water drains in three separate areas outside of the building through use of small temporary pumps. After set-up of personnel decon and finalization of safety protocols, entry into the basement was made.
During the initial entry, some of the boxes containing contaminated material were found to have been breached. It could not immediately be determined whether Ba contaminated material had been released to flood waters.
Two additional entries were also made on Monday, further assessments of the boxes were made, the pumping of flood waters offsite was halted and the permanent building ground water pumping system was restarted.
Over the next several days, EPA will be decontaminating areas impacted by flood waters, preparing to stabilize and elevate boxes in the basement and operating the building ground water pumps to prevent further flooding.
Actions to secure and stabilize contaminated material will continue. EPA-ERT will investigate potential off-site contamination and worker exposure issues.
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