Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Kerr-McGee Chemical (Colubus) aka Tronox
Columbus, MS - EPA Region IV
POLREP #3
Final Polrep

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Kerr-McGee Chemical (Colubus) aka Tronox - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV

Subject:

POLREP #3
Final Polrep
Kerr-McGee Chemical (Colubus) aka Tronox
B491
Columbus, MS
Latitude: 33.5107301 Longitude: -88.4079336

To:

From:

Steve Spurlin, OSC

Date:

4/19/2011

Reporting Period:

4/11/2011-5/05/2011

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	B491	Contract Number:	EP-S407-03
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:	3/24/2011
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	2/16/2011	Start Date:	2/17/2011
Demob Date:	4/27/2011	Completion Date:	5/5/2011
CERCLIS ID:	MSD990866329	RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:	967564	State Notification:	02/15/2011
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

    In April and October 2010, EPA collected soil samples from multiple residential properties near the former Kerr McGee Chemical facility. Additional samples were collected in February 2011. The sample results were evaluated by an EPA risk assessor to determine if contaminant levels were sufficient to pose an immediate or short term threat to residents. Numerous properties exceeded the EPA residential Regional Screening Levels (RSLs); however, only two properties exceeded the EPA Residential Removal Action Level (RAL). The RAL for benzo(a)pyrene, a chemical associated with creosote woodtreating, was exceeded for an area at a local Intermediate school and for a residential property on Moss Street, Columbus, MS.

1.1.2 Site Description

     The Kerr- McGee Chemical (Columbus) Site is comprised of approximately 90 acres, and is located at 2300 North 14^th Avenue in Columbus, Mississippi. The facility was operational from approximately 1928 to 2003. While operational, Kerr-McGee manufactured pressure-treated railroad products such as wooden cross ties, switch ties, and timbers. The production processes at the site utilized creosote and creosote coal tar solutions to produce pressure-treated wood products.   Contaminants associated with the operations were released offsite in drainage ditches which are prone to flooding. EPA has been investigating the potential impacts to residential properties from the offsite releases.

1.1.2.1 Location

    The location of the removal actions are at the Hunt Intermediate School and a residence on Moss Street, Columbus, Mississippi. Both properties are near the former facility, and the contamination detected is suspected to have originated from the Kerr-McGee Chemical Site located at 2300 North 14th Avenue, Columbus, Mississippi.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

    Hazardous substances associated with the former wood treatment operation has been detected in sediments in the drainage ditches leading from the Site.  EPA's sampling has identified the presence of creosote related hazardous substances in soils and sediments in the community. Additional description of threats can be found in the March 24, 2011 Action Memorandum Request For Ceiling Increase for a Removal Action located in the Site records.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

    2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

    ERRS contractor, WRSCompass, mobilized personnel on April 11 and 12, 2011. WRSCompass begin excavation of soils at the Hunt Intermediate School on April 13th and completed the removal of the area identified by EPA sampling which exceeded the benzo(a)pyrene RAL.  An area approximately 50 feet by 50 feet was excavated to a depth of twelve to fourteen inches resulting in the removal of approximately 99.14 tons of soil. The soil was transported as non RCRA waste to the GoldenTriangle Waste Services Subtitle D landfill, Columbus, MS.

    The excavated area was backfilled with clean soil and seeded. After completion of the seeding, WRSCompass moved their equipment and personnel to the Moss Street property on April 15. Excavation of soils exceeding the benzo(a)pyrene RAL at the Moss Street property were completed approximately April 25th with final inspection of completed work by OSC Spurlin on April 27, 2011. Actions taken at the Moss Street property involved the removal of 12-15" of soil, totaling 148.6 tons. The material was shipped to the Golden Triangle Waste Services Landfill. The excavated area was backfilled to grade with clean soil and sodded with grass.

    Dust particulate monitoring was conducted at both locations during the excavation and fill work. No particulate levels of concern were detected.

    On April 20, the WRSCompass subcontractor transported the two roll offs containing a total of 30.93 tons of creosote waste generated during EPA's February 2011 emergency response at the Maranatha Faith Center. The material was shipped to the Golden Triangle Waste Services landfill.

    During the removal action, the OSC was contacted by the minister for the Maranatha Faith Center located at 716 Waterworks Road, Columbus, MS. The minister was concerned about children playing in the open ditch on the Church property. The ditch has not been fully investigated regarding the nature and extent of contamination; however, historical information indicates a likelihood of contamination. A fence was erected along the portion of the ditch on Church property to prevent access. The fence was completed on May 5, 2011. Construction of the fence completed the removal actions for the Site.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal

benzo(a)pyrene soil     278.67

2.2 Planning Section