The Painesville CSX site is an emergency response to a train derailment that resulted in a fire. The incident originated at approximately noon on October 10th. At the request of the Lake County Health Department, and in response to National Response Center report # 851242, U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA have responded to the site and are providing on site support to local incident command. The cause of the derailment is currently unknown. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating.
Residents in the Heisley Park Neighbor hood are expected to be allowed back into their homes by Noon of October 13, 2007.
Approximately 30 railcars were involved in the derailment. Of those, eight (8) of them contained a flammable materials (ethanol, propane, and Phthalic Anhydride). All fires associated with the railcars have been extinguished. The railcar containing Phthalic Anhydride will remain on site until the molten material inside can solidify allowing the railcar to be removed.
See previous polreps for additional information.
START continued to conduct air monitoring using RAT. START observed readings at or below background during the reporting period. Air monitoring ceased at 1800, when the fire was declared extinguished.
Ethanol was discovered within the creek adjacent to the derailment area. The area has been contained and the free liquids were vacuumed and transferred to frac tanks. It is believed that this is associated with a leak from NATX 300991. Ohio EPA and Arcadis conducted additional wildlife surveys within the nearby creek and Mentor Marsh and observed no affected wildlife. downstream of the contained area. Ohio EPA also collected additional samples for laboratory analysis within the immediate Mentor Marsh watershed.
As of 0100 of October 13, 2007 NTSB has released all railcars, with the exception of the Phthalic Anhydride railcar (UTLX 650750). This railcar will remain in place until the molten material inside has cooled to its solid form. The structural integrity of the railcar has been compromised and therefore it cannot be moved further until the material solidifies.
At 0230 excavation began in the area where the where the Phthalic Anhydride and Ethanol cars were burning. The removal extent is based on visual evidence and screening with PID. Soils contaminated by ethanol will be segregated from soils contaminated with Phthalic Anhydride. Excavated material will be staged in a staging pad constructed south of the track. Material will be staged pending disposal analysis and disposed of at an appropriate disposal facility. Laboratory analytical clearance samples will be collected in the excavation area.
Pending post-excavation clearance samples and additional subsurface investigations, long-term remediation of the immediate derailment area may be necessary.
Ohio EPA is assuming the role lead agency for oversight of long-term cleanup activities for any contaminated soils/water. START will provide limited oversight of remaining excavation activities for Ohio EPA.
The evacuation of the Heisley Park neighborhood is expected be lifted by noon of October 13, 2007.
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