U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Roselle Mad Chemist - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IX
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial Response and Assessment
Roselle Mad Chemist
09WG
San Diego, CA
Latitude: 32.8948036 Longitude: -117.2195788
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To:
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From:
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Robert Wise, OSC
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Date:
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7/30/2010
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Reporting Period:
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July 29 - 30, 2010
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
7/29/2010 |
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Start Date: |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Time Critical Removal - Abandoned Biotechnology Laboratory
1.1.2 Site Description
The consists of two joined suites in a technology business park. The site consists of a series of analytical laboratories and offices. The laboratories contain cabinets, shelves and refridgerators storing large amounts of laboratory chemicals. Most of the chemical containers are less then 4 liters in volume. Chemicals are also stored haphazardly on the counters and in the fume hoods. The facility consists of 27 distinct rooms.
1.1.2.1 Location
The facility is located at 10441 Roselle Street, San Diego, San Diego Co., CA 92121. The facility is located in a light industrial, technology and commercial business park area in the Sorrento Valley district of San Diego.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The facility was abandoned in January 2010 and contains a very large quantity of analytical reagents stored through out the facility. Chemical classes identified up to this point include: acids, bases, oxidizers, poisons, mutagens, carcinogens, heavy metals, flammables, water reactives, air reactive, peroxide forming chemicals and biological agents.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
OSC Wise and the START are currently conducting an inventory of all of the chemicals inside the building. A database of the chemicals will be built to determine the exact classes of chemicals, the hazards and the waste codes. The database will be used to segregate and pack the chemicals for disposal. The assessment is on-going is expected to take an additional week.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On July 29, 2010, San Diego Co. Environmental Health Hazmat Unit (SDCoEH) referred an abandoned biotechnolgy company, Aries Associates, LLC to EPA for a CERCLA Removal Action. OSC Wise and the START responded to the facility to assess the situation. Aries was a contract biotech company that went bankrupt in January 2010, abandoning a large quantity of laboratory reagents (estimated over 5,000 containers). OSC Wise and the START began an assessment of the facility to determine the chemical inventory.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
SDCoEH pursued Aries Associates for several months to compel cleanup prior to referring the site to California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) and EPA for removal assistance.
On July 29, 2010, SDCoEH formally referred the site to EPA for removal after DTSC declined due to funding limitations. OSC Wise and the START contractor began assessment operation on Jly 29, 2010. Assessment operations have included air surveillance of the facility and an inventory of the chemical on-site. The inventory is expected to last throughout the week of August 6, 2010.
OSC Wise also deployed the Region 9 ERRS contract under a pre-planning Task Order in anticipation of a fund-lead removal action.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
OSC Wise issued CERCLA General Notices to the property owner, the bankruptcy trustee on behalf of the Aries Associates estate and Michael Conrad, the former owner of Aries Associates. Investigations by EPA and SDCoEH has also identified L-3 Communications and Chromagen as PRPs.
The attorney for the land owner and Mr. Conrad have indicated that they do not have the financial resources to conduct the removal action. Chromagen is dissolved corporation that pre-dated Aries Associates.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
The assessment of the facility is expected to be completed on August 6, 2010. The assessment will include the inventory of all chemical containers on-site, sampling of all unknown containers and all containers with marked or hand labeled as waste and field hazard categorization of all samples. After the field testing is completed, enforcement samples for laboratory analysis will be collected.
2.2.2 Issues
Due to the large amount of small containers of laboratory reagents, the inventory will required extensive START resources to complete in a timely fashion.
Any chemicals identified as unstable will be addressed by the OSC on a as needed basis.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Not Applicable
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
The START will function as the SSO for this response.
2.6 Liaison Officer
Not Applicable
2.7 Information Officer
Not Applicable
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA is the lead agency for the removal action.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
SDCoEH and DTSC
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4. Personnel On Site
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July 29, 2010: 1 OSC, 3 START, 1 ERRS RM, 2 SDCoEH and 1 DTSC
July 30, 2010: 1 OSC, 3 START
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5. Definition of Terms
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OSC: On-Scene Coordinator
START: Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
ERRS: Emergency and Rapid Removal Service
SDCoEH: San Diego Co. Environmental Health Hazmat
DTSC: California Department of Toxic Substance Control
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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