A fire was reported at the Patrick Cudahy meat packing facility in Cudahy, WI at approximately 2130 on July 5, 2009. The fire quickly spread throughout the wood-structured facility engulfing large sections of the older parts of the facility. As the fire spread, refrigeration units were compromised by the fire and at approximately 0500 on July 6 an anhydrous ammonia release was reported to the National Response Center. It is estimated by Patrick Cudahy representatives that 2,000 - 5,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia were released to the atmosphere. Actions were taken by the facility to capture and isolate the remaining anhydrous ammonia to prevent further release of the material. As a precaution, residents were evacuated within a one-mile radius of the facility.
U.S. EPA was requested to perform air monitoring for the evacuation area.
The evacuation was lifted for residents by fire officials at approximately 7 PM on July 6.
At the request of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and Incident Command, U.S. EPA conducted air monitoring of the evacuation area. U.S EPA arrived to the scene at approximately 0830 hours on July 6. U.S. EPA subsequently tasked the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor to conduct air monitoring at the site. Monitoring parameters included ammonia, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, lower explosive limit, oxygen, and radiation. No concentrations above background were detected within the evacuation area with the exception of particulates. A peak concentration of 8.16 milligrams per meter cubed (mg/m3) was measured during a brief flare up within the evacuation zone. No sustained readings were recorded for any of the parameters monitored for during the event outside of the evacuation area.
U.S. EPA and START demobilized from the site at 1800 hours. Milwaukee Hazmat continued air monitoring of the fire.
Please see associated website for updated figures containing monitoring results.
No further U.S. EPA activities are anticipated for this site.
WDNR will continue to conduct oversight of long term clean-up activities.
The fire suppression water water was primarily contained within a retention pond and adjacent wetland or entered the facility's waste water treatment facility plant, which eventually enters the municipality's waste water treatment system. Two water samples collected by the PRP contained ammonia concentrations of 63 and 98 milligrams per liter and pH of 9 standard units. Management of this water is being overseen by WDNR.
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