The site is SW of San Antonio near Macdona, Bexar County, Texas. Weather improved, sunny and hot.
Accompanied National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators on inspection of railcar. By the time of that visit, site work had resulted in the removal of all cars and debris except for the chlorine car. It had been relocated away from the track and was in neither its original position nor condition. EPA was later able to provide NTSB with high resolution photos obtained by ASPECT during the initial hours of the incident and prior to any physical interventions.
Participated in daily press briefing. All briefings are coordinated by the Bexar County Public Information Officer (PIO).
Joint field team of additional Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH) and Superfund Technical Assessment Response Team (START) conducted clearance inspections of additional evacuated residences.
Updated Incident Command Structure (ICS) to reflect personnel changes.
Unified Command (UC) reviewed UP Health & Safety Plan (HASP) for chlorine car patching operation. Revisions were proposed and accepted.
Requested dispersion modeling from CTEH for patching operational period. Wooden plugs were removed, and the hole was temporarily covered by a neoprene patch. The fabricated steel patch was modified for a custom fit. Jet pumps continued to pull negative pressure inside the car to prevent release of fugitive vapors. Patch installation was completed at 2200 hours last night.
Caustic scrubber was brought online at 2100 hours last night.
24-hr air monitoring remains in place.
Recovery crews retrieved and disposed of animal carcasses following documentation of type and location.
Offloading and scrubbing of chlorine continues.
Meet with UC to discuss and resident return to home options.
Discuss exit strategy for state and federal resources.
Coordinate CTEH for continuing air monitoring.
Attended NTSB briefing at 0830 hrs.
Approval of revised HASP.
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