During the morning of May 28th, 2009, representatives of the Golden Peanut Company discovered that an above ground storage tank containing sodium hydroxide had been vandalized and approximately 5,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide was released into the environment. The majority of the product was released into the soil, with some of the free product entering a local storm drain system.
Local fire hazmat, EMA, and police responded to the scene. Due to another ongoing environmental emergency, ADEM emergency response personnel were unable to respond to the scene on the 28th. OSC Russell was dispatched to the scene by the EPA Region 4 Telephone Duty Officer. Golden Peanut Company obtained the services of an environmental cleanup contractor to mitigate the release.
Golden Peanut Company has hired an environmental response cleanup contractor to mitigate the release. The initial assessment indicates that the majority of the product has released into the soil, as well as into a nearby storm drain. The cleanup contractor has begun removing the contaminated soil.
Due to incomplete information pertaining to the storm drain system, a complete assessment of the drain system has not been conducted.
Contaminated soil will continue to be removed. After the storm drain system is adequately assessed, a determination of removal actions pertaining to the storm drain will be made.
Adequately assess the storm drain system to determine the extent of contamination.
Continue to remove and properly dispose of the contaminated soil.
Coordinate with ADEM personnel on-site concerning mitigation activities.
None at this time.
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