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.
Principal Activity - ERRS crew continues interior cleanup of old factory building to allow for demolition with minimal concern about asbestos fiber release.
1/31/11 - OSC arrived ~1100 hours. The owner had moved some items in Bay 1 to the front door of the bay over the weekend and the ERRS crew were cleaning and transferring the items to Bay 2. A personal air sampler was placed on one crew member for one hour and two stationary air samplers were placed in Bay 2 for eight hours.
- The OSC met with a rep from Hopkins Federal Savings Bank. The bank holds the mortgage on the adjacent Portrait Homes Development (PHD) property. The OSC explained activities in that area to date and indicated he is working on a report.
- the OSC walked through the building to observe progress/took photos. Approximately 80 bags of asbestos at 35 lbs each await disposal. ERRS and OSC working to get the building subcontractor and demo subcontractor on board.
2/1/11- Obtaining confirmation that Old Dominion Landfill in VA can accept asbestos waste.
- The owner signed Agreement #2 (for reimbursement of personal items).
EPA attorney agrees with draft language in Agreement #1 (for new building construction). Owner to review with attorney friend.
- Received stationary and personal PCM results for samples collected on 1/28 and 1/31. Two stationary results were overloaded, one stationary had 0.041 f/cc, two personals were slightly above OSHA PEL. Although crew is in Level C, we will attempt to lower air concentrations by using more water during cleanup.
- OSC provided comments to the Weston engineer on the building grading design and the E&S/Stormwater plan for entire site.
- ERRS RM and the OSC discussed problem with the demolition subcontractor low bidder not completing necessary forms - looks like we cannot go with that company.
- EPA CO provided subcontract consent on the new building construction contractor.
2/2/11 - The OSC went over the grading design with the Weston engineer. He is in agreement. The owner stopped in to go over the design with the OSC. Owner satisfied. The owner asked about asphalting the driveway area. The OSC again stated that this decision will be made later. The owner continues to consul with his attorney friend about Agreement #2.
- ERRS H&S person arrived from Atlanta for a visit. ERRS RM and the OSC discussed ongoing work with him. No problems idenitifed to the OSC.
- The OSC called S&H Excavating, the company who did most of the work for the adjacent PHD, seeking some information. Left message.
- Building electrician, BG&E and possibly county inspector scheduled here tomorrow to evaluate service line placement to existing house and new garage.
2/3/11 - OSC not present (at Region 3 office for all day meeting).
2/4/11 - ERRS RM informed the OSC about the mtg yesterday among county, BG&E and electrician:
- owner's home will need a new panel box
- service line to the new building and home will be underground
- service disconnect to old factory to occur ~ 3 weeks
- ERRS RM found scrap yard for miscellaneous steel, metal
2/5/11 and 2/7/11 - No onsite work
2/8/11 - OSC conferred with MDE Stormwater/E&S Program about our submission of E&S/Stormwater design and plans. Requested expedited review. Positive response received.
- ERRS RM and OSC discussed demolition strategy and conferred on subcontract work for electrical disconnection and re-service.
- Owner signed Agreement #2 (for new building).
2/9 and 2/10 - OSC not onsite due to family medical matter.
2/11 - OSC at Weston office to sign off on E&S/Stormwater design and plans for submittal to MDE.
- several old cars removed from the site and sent off to auto grave yard.
2/12/11 - ERRS crew began spraying asbestos encapsulant on walls and other stationary sections of the building.
- ERRS RM, OSC and owner met to discuss future work and come to agreement on sequence of activities. Owner wants the new building constructed to the point where he can work on his cars before old building is demolished. The OSC does not want to delay building demolition and is willing to place cars in storage, cover with tarps, and/or move to any reasonable part of the property. The OSC will look into demolishing the back, sheet metal sided portion of the building and leave the garage portion standing for a time. Not an ideal situation due to cost increase and logistics difficulty. The OSC said he will need to discuss with the selected demo subcontractor. The OSC also will confer with the building construction sub about placing owner's items on the cement pad before the entire building is completed. The owner requests the use of a generator once electric service is disconnected to the old factory.
- Progress toward obaining the services of a demolition subcontractor.
- Clean and move out items in Bay 1.
- Complete interior cleaning.
- Complete an E&S/Stormwater plan.
- Get two EPA/owner agreements signed by EPA Regional Administrator.
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