U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Roselle Mad Chemist - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IX
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Subject:
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POLREP #3
Removal Action and Second Bomb Squad Render Safe Procedure
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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8/12/2010
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Reporting Period:
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August 9 - 12, 2010
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
09WG |
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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: |
Emergency |
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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: |
8/7/2010 |
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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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See POLREPs No. 1 and No. 2.
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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. From July 29 - August 7, 2010, OSC Wise and the START conducted a removal assessment of the facility in which all of the chemicals were inventoried. During the inventory process a number of unstable chemicals that were unsafe for transport to a TSDF were identified. Those chemicals were destroyed on August 7, 2010. After the detonation, START discovered additional unstable chemicals during the segegration process. Based on this discovery, OSC Wise determined that all of the chemicals would have to be segregated and their stability evaluated. Based on this determination and that the business owner and the business were both in bankruptcy, the land owner stated that they were not financially capable of conducting the cleanup and a fourth PRP refused to conduct the cleanup, OSC Wise decided to move forward with an emergency removal action to allow for the proper segregation and packing of the chemicals for disposal.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
August 9, 2010: 1 OSC, 2 START, 5 ERRS, 1 Philips TSD Rep.
All personnel on-site began to segregate the chemicals into hazard class groups. A representative of Philips Environmental Services was on-site to supervise the lab packing of the chemicals. ERRS packed the chemicals according to hazard class. ERRS conducted additional hazcat analysis to further define the hazard classes of the chemicals previously hazcatted by START.
OSC Wise arranged with SDCoEH to have them dispose of the biological waste at their public health lab. OSC Wise also arranged with SDCoEH and SDFDBS to have a second render safe procedure for unstable - nontransportable chemicals.
August 10, 2010: 1 OSC, 2 START, 5 ERRS, 1 Philips TSD Rep.
The segregation and lap pack procedures continued.
August 11, 2010: 1 OSC, 2 START, 5 ERRS, 1 Philips TSD Rep.
The segregation and lab pack procedures continued. Additional unstable chemicals were identified and segregated for destruction.
SDCoEH and the SDFDBS were on-site to set up the logistics for the render safe operation.
August 12, 2010: 1 OSC, 2 START, 5 ERRS, 1 Philips TSD Rep.
SDFDBS, SDCoEH, SDPD on-scene to conduct the render safe operation. The ERRS contractor built a demolition bunker using sand bags to the Bomb Squad's specifications and then vacated the site. The Bomb Squad set up the explosive charges in the bunker. OSC Wise packed the chemical for transport to the detonation site, approximately 200 meter from the lab and SDCoEH delivered them to the Bomb Squad. At 0800 hours the chemicals were destroyed by the Bomb Squad by explosive detonation. The chemicals destroyed included:
- Sodium Chlorate;
- Potassium Borohydride;
- Calcium Hydride;
- Aluminum Powder;
- Potassium Chlorate;
- Lithium Diisoprpylamide in Tetrahydrofuran;
- Perchloric Acid, 70%;
- Diisobutylalunimum Hydride in Dichloromethane;
- 1,3-Butadiene (cylinder);
- Sodium Hydrosulfite;
- Iodotrimethylsilane;
- Dimethylaminosulfur Trifluoride; and
- Isopropyl Dithioglactopyranoside
After the detonation, the ERRS contractor removed all of the sand bags and smoothed out the sand.
The segregation and lap pack operation was completed. The lab packs were labeled with DOT shipping labels and hazardous waste marks for off-site shipment tomorrow.
ERRS packaged up all of the hazardous removal generated debris, empty bottles and PPE and packed them into triwall boxes for disposal. ERRS then conducted a decontamination of all of the laboratory working surfaces with a dilute bleach solution.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
See POLREPS No. 1 and No. 2.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
All on-site activities have been completed with the exception of the off-site transport of the waste.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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The ERRS Response Manager will handle all logistical issues.
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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
OSC Wise will function as the Liaison Officer with local agencies.
2.7 Information Officer
On August 11, 2010, an article on the site came out in the San Diego City Beat. On August 11, 2010, KNSD, Channel 7 had two news crews on-site to follow up on the City Beat Story. OSC Wise provided an interview. the articles can be found in the links section of the OSC Website.
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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, DTSC, SBFDBS, San Diego Police Department
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4. Personnel On Site
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See Operations Section
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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
DTSC: California Department of Toxic Substance Control
SDFDBS: San Diego Fire Department Bomb Squad
SDPD: San Diego Police Department
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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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