The EQ Resource Recovery chemical fire is located at 36345 Van Born Rd., Romulus, MI (Latitude 42.1581 & Longitude -83.2388). The evacuation area, which includes about 900 homes, includes the areas surrounded by Cogswell to Wayne Rd. and Van Born Rd. to Annapolis Rd. The Incident Command and the EPA Command Post are located on Treadwell.
On August 11, 2005, air monitoring activities with RAT, Area Raes, TAGA, and ASPECT continued. TAGA real-time air sample analysis began around the perimeter of the facility and in the downwind neighborhood. Results showed that the highest analyte detected was ethylbenzene, at a concentration of 300 ppb. All other analytes were below 30 ppb. In addition, the TAGA analyzed three summa canister air samples, which were collected from the plume during the fire, and determined the highest reading was propylene at 12.9 ppb. Based on the results and a conference call with ATSDR, the Wayne County Health Department (WCHD) and the Incident Command (IC) determined that the evacuation of the residential neighborhood could be lifted. REAC collected four wipe samples (two on the upwind side of the house and two on the downwind side of the house) from 20 residential properties for a total of 80 wipe samples. Samples are being analyzed at the ERT laboratory for Base Neutral Acids (BNAs) and metal analytes. EQ mobilized equipment to extinguish the remaining fires and initiate clean up activities. These operations were postponed until 08/12/2005 due to darkness. EQ also deployed Coffer dams upstream and downstream of the site to contain any potential run off. US Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team mobilized to assist EPA with cost documentation and health and safety/medical monitoring.
EQ will begin conducting a clean up on August 12, 2005. EPA will oversee clean up activities and continue air monitoring.
1. Continue air sampling activities, including TAGA, AreaRae, and RAT.
2. Begin oversite of clean up activities.
3. Provide results from the initial wipe samples to ATSDR and WCHD.
1. US Coast Guard has begun cost documentation to be included in all future POLREPs.
2. EPA, ATSDR, and Wayne County Health Department will discuss the results of the initial wipe sampling and make recommendations to the Incident Command.
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