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 parking garage. Approximately 600 pallets of this material, presumed to be contaminated with Ba, were originally placed in the parking garage. The parking garage is partially above ground 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.
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.
EPA mobilized WRS as the ERRS contractor to stabilize the boxes which were compromised by the flood. Damage to these boxes is visible. EPA's contractor is shrink wrapping those unstable boxes to limit future degradation and to limit the potential release of anthrax spores. All pallettes are being restaged on cinder blocks to limit future water contact. The PBCHD and EPA-ERT is also on site to assist with the response.
Entry into the parking garage continues to stabilize the boxes and restage the pallettes. On June 26 and June 27, 2005, the ERRS subcontractor made two entries respectively into the contaminated zone (total of 4 entries). 85 palletes were staged on June 26 and 76 on June 27th. Additional areas were spot decontaminted and breached palletes were shrink wrapped.
Approximately 263 pallets of the original 480 palletes have been secured and elevated to date.
Of the 480 palletes, there are approximately 125 palletes of boxes that were autoclaved and returned to the parking garage. These palletes are wrapped in a tarp. It is not known if these were recontaminated by the flood. EPA will leave these in place. Also, 15 pallettes remain in the fume chamber. These were auto-claved, but test strips still indicated the presence of Ba spores. 5 additional palletes were fumigated, cleared with confirmatory testing, and are staged in the parking garage.
ERRS completed repairing the pipes and pumps associated with the building's groundwater dewatering system on June 12, 2005. No further flooding has occurred since. However, the pumps can only be operated from within the potentially contaminated space of the basement. Also, ERRS has noted that the electronics of the switch for the dewatering pumps is faulty. The dewatering system is monitored during each entry and is operating properly.
EPA will restage the remaining pallettes. Breached palletes will be shrink wrapped. Potentially contaminated material that does not pose an immediate risk will remain in place.
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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