Site Description
The Powhatan Mining Company site is the location of a former asbestos processing facility. The mill operated from approximately 1920 to 1980 primarily processing anthophyllite asbestos. Asbestos ore for the mill was mined in Maryland until about the 1940s and later brought in from several States including California, Georgia and Alabama. The site is bordered on all sides by residential properties and the residential yards to the southwest lie within feet of the former processing facility and in the path of site runoff. In 2006, the property to the east of the former mill was subdivided into residential lots for new home construction. From 2006 to 2008, the residential lots were cleared and graded and retention ponds were installed. Development ceased after only two homes were constructed.
The former processing facility is a multi-story building with a loading area on the northeast end (cement block portion) and a processing area at the southwest end (rusted metal portion). The asbestos fiber extraction process took place inside the building complex. Asbestos ore was reportedly received and first dried in the cement block portion of the complex. Further processing of the rock ore is believed to have occurred in the metal portion of the facility, a multi-level, timber-framed structure with stone foundation and corrugated metal siding. In the milling operation believed used at this facility, the asbestos ore was first crushed to a normal, even size and then dried. Fiber extraction then occured through a series of crushing operations, each followed by vacuum aspiration of the ore running on a vibrating screen. On the screen, the fibers were released from the ore and collected into a vacuum system. Fibers recovered from consecutive vibrating screens were brought to cyclone separators, and the air filtered to remove the finer, suspended fibers.
The property was brought to EPA's attention by the Maryland Dept of the Environment. After an initial assessment, a non-emergency Removal Action primarily intended to secure building openings was initiated by the OSC in a Special Bulletin dated August 11, 2009. More recent sampling data and conditions warranted a time-critical action. A time-critical Action Memorandum for the site, concurred on by HQ, was signed on June 8, 2010. In addition, a memorandum authorizing demolition and compensation to the property owner was approved by the Region and HQ on this date.
EPA will be conducting removal activities at the site in order to deconstruct the facility and remove/cover soil which may pose a threat to public health and/or the environment. During activities which will cause significant disturbance of interior dust or outdoor soils, air samples periodically will be collected from personal sampling devices on cleanup personnel to determine if proper levels of protection are being used at the site. Additional air samples will be collected along the perimeter of the site to confirm that engineering controls are protective of the surrounding community.
Current Activities continuing for period:
- ERRS continues cleaning the owner's personal items for conex box storage and bagging items to be discarded as asbestos-containing waste.
12/13/10 - OSC at office for other duties. Arrived at site 1530 hours.
12/14/10 - OSC and owner again met to discuss the servicing of his four vehicles when they are removed from the concrete block building during demolition. The issue finally resolved after challenging discussions.
- Electrician arrived to evaluate how a service line will be run from the utility pole to the owner's home (line currently runs from the pole through the old factory into the home.) The electrician walked through the house with owner and ERRS RM. Based on his evaluation, the electrician will need to confer with BG&E and the County. A separate panel box for the house and new garage will be best if acceptable to those parties.
- Two demolition bidders here. Asked questions and walked through old factory.
12/15/10 - The OSC spoke with the owner again about the written agreement called for under EPA's demolition and compensation policy. The OSC indicated the new garage design drawing and list of garage features will be attached to the agreement. Owner indicated he was ok with the agreement language. We are awaiting a new list of design features from Rasche Bros (mainly the new electric features).
- The OSC removed documents from onsite files that constitute the Administrative Record and is having two copies made.
12/16/10 - The first load of "white goods" and electronic items (washer, dryer, lawn mowers, TVs, printers, etc) left the site for the Carroll County Landfill. These items were located in the old factory and identified for release by the owner. Disposal/recycling at the landfill is justified as they will interfere with onsite operations and the landfill does not charge for their disposal/recycling. All items were cleaned of asbestos dust.
- Two additional demo bidders here to ask questions and walk through building (bidders informed that we want proposals by COB 12/21).
12/17/10 - The second and final load of white goods/electronics sent to the landfill (the OSC maintains a list).
- A third 40 cu yd container of ACM was transported offsite for disposal.
12/18/10, 12/20/10, 12/21/10 - ERRS continued cleanup of old building focusing on cleaning upper two floors of the sheet metal portion of animal feces, leaves and contaminated dust.
NOTE: OSC Kelly on annual leave from 12/17/10 to 1/3/11.
OSC Ham on site 12/17 and 12/20. ERRS crew demobed from the site on 12/21 for holidays to return 1/3/11.
Planned Removal Actions:
- Work out details on addressing owner's items in Bay 1 and cleaning area above plastic in Bay 2.
Next Steps:
- Continue to coordinate with the site owner on the fate of interior items and the likely progression of upcoming work.
- Continue efforts to subcontract out the new garage construction (based on the cost proposal values, the CO's concurrence will be necessary.) Obtain new cost for added electrical features and show list of features to owner for consent.
- Determine how electrical service to the owner's house and new garage building will be performed.
- Evaluate demolition company bids and prepare to subcontract this work.
An estimated 3,000 square feet of the old facility has been cleaned.
Over 2,773 interior items have been cleaned.
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