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 480 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 and EPA-ERT is also on site to assist with the response.
Entry into the basement continues. Approximately 50 pallets of material have been secured and elevated to date. Upon arrival, on 20-Jun-05 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. Upon entry into the basement, ERRS halted that potential off-site release. On 21-JUN-05, ClO2 was applied to the release areas along the parking lot and adjacent to the storm drain as a precaution. Sampling of these areas and water from the basement for Ba was also conducted.
ERRS continued to repair pipes and pumps associated with the building's groundwater dewatering system. By the afternoon of 21-JUN-05, the building's groundwater dewatering pumps were working. No further flooding has occurred since. However, the pumps can only be operated from within the potentially contaminated space of the basement.
Stabilization of the boxed material in the basement will continue. ClO2 will be applied to areas of the basement and pallets of material will be moved to those areas and elevated to prevent future impact by flood waters.
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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