On 26 OCT 04 a 50,000 gallon sulphuric acid tank leaked its entire contents to a diked area which in turn released an estimated 5,000 gallons down gradient. The facility responded by constructing soil berms to retard flow and pumping the acid to nearby rail cars. No liquid acid is believed to have left site. A tertiary lagoon should intercept off site flow. The local Fire Department conducted initial air monitoring. ADEM SOSC Parker provided oversight of all response activities. Also, the Jefferson County Department of Health (JCDH) was on site providing over sight.
EPA OSC Adams and START mobilized to the Site to enhance air monitoring effort and provide oversight of response activity.
Failure of the tank was catastrophic with the entire contents released within a containment dyke surrounding the tank. Subsequent to the tank failure, a partial failure or breach of the dyke occurred causing approximately 6,000 gallons to contaminate surrounding ground or soil. Sloss created a temporary berm that recaptured 15,000 gallons; performed a partial reloading to a rail car for material recovery (4,000 gallons); temporarily utilized an equalization/emergency holding basin (6,250 gallons); and finally, directed the remaining 29,000 gallons to a 500,000 gallon wastewater equalization tank.
EPA arrived on site at night-fall and met with the SOSC and Sloss representatives. After a tour of the facility and recovery process, EPA deemed the release was under control with the majority of product being recovered. EPA left the site before START arrived with plans to return during daylight hours to perform follow up and conduct any monitoring/sampling that may be needed.
During the night of 26 OCT 04, EPA's OSC Adams and START responded to another emergency response in West Alabama and did not return to the site until 28 OCT 04.
On the morning of 28 OCT 04, a breach of the 500,000 gallon wastewater equalization tank occurred. Partial failure of the main door sealing material was discovered by Sloss at approximately 5:00 a.m. This tank in conjunction with another 500,000 gallon tank contains principally wash down byproducts water. Consequently, trace amounts of halogenated hydrocarbons and petroleum hydrocarbons were present, including pollutants such as benzene, toluene, xylene, phenol, naphthalene, and other aliphatic hydrocarbons. The loss rates from the leaks were approximately 50 to 60 gallons per minute. EPA's OSC and START arrived on site before noon and began sampling for ambient air concentrations.
All results for each pollutant indicated non-detectable concentrations. Therefore, though there was leakage from the wastewater equalization tank, no threat to the community or Sloss’ personnel was imminent.
ADEM and the JCDH will continue to provide over sight while the responsible party continues their cleanup.
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