From March 14, 2008 to present, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (EPD)tried without success to compel the previous leasee, WAMA Manufacturing and the present site owner, to properly characterize and dipose of 5 abandoned drums onsite. On June 23, 2009, the Emergency Response and Removal Bureau (ERRB)received a request from GA EPD to address the proper disposal and characterization of the abandoned drums due to a lack of funding at the state level.
The "Former WAMA Manufacturing" site is currently an abandoned warehouse located in Austell, Georgia and was previously used by the former leasee, WAMA Manufacturing, to manufacture polyurethane skateboard wheels. Two of the five drums are nearly or completely empty with the remaining three drums ranging from completly full to less than one third full. The tops of two of the five drums are bulging or the metal bent, although none of the drums is currently leaking or breached. There is a threat of leakage to the surrounding environment due to the bulging/bent metal tops and due to the present storage conditions of the drums atop a steep incline with the drums only support provide by small fledgling trees growing downslope and behind the drums. Debris is also on top of and surrounding the drums. The drums are suspected to contain the hazardous substance isocyanate, and one or both of the following constituents that are used to manufacture polyurethane: 1)polyol and/or 2) diisocyanate.
OSCs Lloyd and Tanner are responding with ERRS contract resources to stablilize the drums and ensure proper disposal of drums.
