U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Cooper Brothers Ammonia Release - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region I
|
|
Subject:
|
POLREP #1
Initial
Cooper Brothers Ammonia Release
01GV
Turner, ME
Latitude: 44.2691949 Longitude: -70.2680089
|
|
To:
|
|
|
From:
|
Ted Bazenas, OSC
|
|
Date:
|
11/18/2010
|
|
Reporting Period:
|
11/16/2010 to 11/22/2010
|
|
1. Introduction
|
|
|
1.1 Background
|
|
|
|
|
Site Number: |
01GV |
|
Contract Number: |
EP-W-08-61 |
|
D.O. Number: |
|
|
Action Memo Date: |
11/17/2010 |
|
Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
|
Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
|
Response Lead: |
EPA |
|
Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
|
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
|
Operable Unit: |
|
|
Mobilization Date: |
11/17/2010 |
|
Start Date: |
11/17/2010 |
|
Demob Date: |
|
|
Completion Date: |
|
|
CERCLIS ID: |
|
|
RCRIS ID: |
|
|
ERNS No.: |
|
|
State Notification: |
|
|
FPN#: |
|
|
Reimbursable Account #: |
|
1.1.1 Incident Category
1.1.2 Site Description
On October 28, 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) received a request from Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME DEP) for assistance with a potential ammonia release at the abandoned Cooper Brothers apple processing facility in Turner, ME. The property has been through bankruptcy court and had not been occupied or maintained for several years. There are no utility services or water for fire suppression inside the building.
This Site is comprised of an abandoned apple processing facility located in cluster of commercial and residential properties in a rural area of Turner, ME. The topography is generally flat.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is physically located at 1833 Auburn Rd (Rt 4) in Turner, ME and is more fully described in Book 6778, Pages 0183 at the Androscoggin County Registry of Deeds.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The abandoned Cooper Brothers apple processing facility has unmaintained refrigeration units containing anhydrous ammonia which were being released to the environment. There are no parties available to address the release, and the potential exists for the catastrophic release of the remaining anhydrous ammonia in the system. The refrigeration system has not been maintained for several years. Pressure relief valves are rusted and piping shows evidence of corrosion. Evidence of trespass, vandalism and scavenging (including the removal of copper wire and pipes) is present and may be the cause of the current release.
Census data indicates that there are 14 residents within one mile of the affected area; 12 residents are within ½ mile. Three residences are visible from the Site and two businesses are located to the south and west, approximately 200 yards away.
The OSC, with concurrence from ME DEP responders, has determined that the situation warranted appropriate time critical actions to remove the remaining ammonia
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
After resolving property access issues, USEPA and WestonSolutions/START contractors were at the site on November 15, 2010, for a Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation. Air monitoring conducted by USEPA contractors indicated levels approaching 100 ppm in the ammonia refrigeration room. These levels were present despite ventilation provided by broken windows and open doorways. The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for anhydrous ammonia is 50 ppm, the Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) action level is 300 ppm, and the lower explosive limit (LEL) is 15%. Air monitoring outdoors also indicated the presence of ammonia, but at very low levels.
|
|
2. Current Activities
|
|
|
2.1 Operations Section
|
|
|
|
2.1.1 Narrative
November 15, 2010
At the request of MEDEP, OSC Bazenas mobilized to the abandoned Cooper Brothers apple processing facility in Turner, Maine to investigate a refrigeration system that is leaking ammonia.
In light of the unstable situation, the Emergency Response and Removal Services (ERRS) contract was activated to initiate an emergency removal action to address the leaking ammonia.
OSC Bazenas met with the EPI (ERRS contractor) Response Manager at the scene to discuss the strategy for addressing the release. Coordination with specialized labor and disposal resources began, but these personnel and equipment could not be immediately mobilized for the transfer of anhydrous ammonia. After confirming that levels of ammonia outside the building were very low (0-2ppm), the facility was secured for the night and all personnel departed at 1530 hrs. The Androscoggin Sheriff''s Office and the Regional HAZMAT Chief were informed of the situation. . ME DEP and ERRS contractors will continue to monitor the situation unti mobilization.EPA, ME DEP and ERRS contractors made plans to remobilize to the scene with the specialized contractors as soon as possible
November 16, 2010
Specialty contractor resources were secured by ERRS. American Refrigeration Company (ARC) provided two technical refrigeration specialists to assist with tranfer of anhydrous ammonia from the building refrig system to a transporter for re-use. Tanner, Inc is the manufacturer/transporter for the ammonia. All contractor resources will be on site on November 17, 2010 at 0700hrs to begin set up for transfer of liquid ammonia to the tanker.
OSC Bazenas prepared an Action Memo, a revised Access Agreement and a Notice Letter.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
November 17, 2010
EPA OSC Bazenas, START, EPI (ERRS team sub), ARC, and Tanner Inc personnel were on site to transfer liquid anhydrous ammonia from the Cooper Bros refrigeration system to a tanker for tranportation and off site re-use. Site preparations and mechanical/physical connections were completed at 1130hrs. Health and safety protocols were thoroughly briefed to all personnel. PPE level B was employed for most operations. Transfer of ammonia began at 1330 hrs and was completed at 1630hrs. A total of 300 gallons (approx 1575 lbs.) of liquid ammonia was recovered from the refrig system. ME DEP Blanchard was at the site in the afternoon. After securing the building for the night, all personnel departed the site at 1730 hrs.
November 18, 2010
EPA OSC Bazenas, START, EPI, and ARC personnel were on site to remove residual anhydrous ammonia from the Cooper Bros refrigeration system. The remaining ammonia was transferred under its own pressure by 1/2 inch hose and vented into drums of water. ARC personnel facilitated the venting process and monitored the drums very closely. START provided air monitoring. Eleven drums (55gallons each) of ammonia water generated for eventual disposal. Due to the cool temperaures and lack of functional heaters, the removal of the remaining ammonia in the system could not be completed.
November 19, 2010
OSC Sherrin, START, EPI and ARC were on site at 0800 hrs. The refrigeration system and drums of waste ammonia water had been left to off-gas overnight inside the secured building. Air monitoring inside the closed building indicated levels of ammonia over 100ppm. All entries to the building were initially conducted in level B PPE. Approximately two hours later, the building had ventilated enough to allow downgrade to Level C PPE.
ARC and EPI continued venting the remaining anhydrous ammonia from the refrigeration system into a 275 gallon tote of water. By 1400 hrs, all of the remaining anhydrous ammonia had been removed from the system. ERRS personnel staged all the small containers and drums of other materials in the warehouse for eventual pickup and disposal by the ME DEP. The vent port on the refrigeration system was left open to allow the system to breath.
AT 1500 the building was secured and all personnel departed. ERRS is preparing to secure bids for disposal of the ammonia water. ERRS personnel will visit the building daily to monitor ammonia levels inside and outside the facility.
November 20, 2010
ERRS personnel conducted air monitoring at the Cooper Bros facility at 0900hrs. Levels in the main warehouse were approximately 50ppm of ammonia, likely as a result of the ventilation of ammonia from drums and totes that were allowed to offgas overnight. The levels will be checked daily until they diminish.
November 21, 2010
ERRS personnel conducted air monitoring for ammonia at 0830hrs today. Levels in the main warehouse were below 5ppm. Levels in the ammonia pump room were approximately 25ppm due to residual gas in the piping that will dissipate over time. ERRS will continue monitoring.
November 22, 2010
ERRS personnel conducted air monitoring for ammonia at the facility in the afternoon. Results indicated 4-5 ppm ammonia inside the genreral warehgouse area and 24ppm in the ammonia pump room. ERRS personnel will continue to monitor. ME DEP has also contracted with EPI seperately for disposal of small containers and other drums from the facility.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
A Notice of Potential Liability letter was prepared and sent to the property owner of record on November 16. 2010. The property owner provided written assent to the access request on November 17, 2010.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| anhydrous ammonia |
liquid cooled |
1575 lbs |
bill of lading |
none |
re-use |
| ammonium /water |
liquid |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 Planning Section
|
|
|
|
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
ERRS contractor personnel will continue to monitor ammonia levels and report to EPA on a daily basis until levels are below 10ppm.
Transportation and disposal of the ammonia water will occur at the earliest date. The ERRS Transportaion and Disposal (T&D) coordinator is selecting a disposal contractor.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Continue monitoring; prepare for T&D.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Continue monitoring; prepare for T&D.
2.2.2 Issues
|
|
|
2.3 Logistics Section
|
|
|
|
No issues. Equipment and personnel were mobilized and demobilized as needed,
|
|
|
2.4 Finance Section
|
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
|
2.5 Other Command Staff
|
|
|
|
2.5.1 Safety Officer
START and the OSC served as Safety Monitors for the activities at the site. A Health and Safety Plan (HASP) was prepared by START. All on-site personnel read and signed the HASP. Daily morning safety briefings were held and documented. Additional safety meeting were called as needed when site activities required a change in plans or the inception of new activities.
2.6 Liaison Officer
No liason was designated.
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
EPA regional PIOs were kept informed of site activities by either phone calls or email messages. There were no contacts from the press.
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA regional CICs were kept informed of site activities by either phone calls or email messages. There was minimal contact with the community.
|
|
3. Participating Entities
|
|
|
3.1 Unified Command
ME DEP and EPA formed Unified Command. The local fire, police and HazMat team were invited, but did not participate.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
US Environmental Protection Agency - Region 01
Androscoggin County Sherrifs Office
Local (Auburn) Fire and HazMat
|
|
4. Personnel On Site
|
|
|
Peter Blanchard, ME DEP
Ted Bazenas and Alex Sherrin, US EPA - R1
ERRS - Response Manager, plus laborer (2 or 3)
WestonSolutions START - 1 tech spec
American refrigeration Company - 1 or 2 technical specialists
Tanner, Inc - 1 driver/tech spec
|
|
5. Definition of Terms
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
6. Additional sources of information
|
|
|
6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
6.2 Reporting Schedule
An intial POLREP/SITREP was produced for the time period 11/15/2010 to 11/23/2010.
Bulletin updates on Site activities were entered onto the webpage daily.
A Final POLREP/SITREP will be produced after transportation and disposal is completed.
|
|
7. Situational Reference Materials
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
|
