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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
10ZZ |
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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: |
7/29/2011 |
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Start Date: |
7/29/2011 |
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Demob Date: |
7/29/2011 |
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Completion Date: |
7/29/2011 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
628264 |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
The site is a fixed manufacturing facility approximately 2 miles long and a half mile wide in an industrial area along the Columbia River.
1.1.2.1 Location
The address is Weyerhaeuser Company, 3401 Industrial Way, Longview, WA. The coordinates are 46.1375007 N , 122.9942608 W.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
On Friday July 29, 2011, at approximately 8:00 am, the chlorine gas monitors at the Weyerhaeuser plant in Longview, Washington detected chlorine gas near the two 130,000 gallon 1% Chlorine Dioxide tanks. At the same time, workers noticed that one of the tanks was leaking chlorine dioxide solution through a flange. The liquid was being captured by secondary containment, however some of the solution was converting to a green cloud of chlorine gas. Workers were moved out of the area which was then cordoned off with red "Danger" banner tape.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
WDOE Spill Responder Curt Piesch arrived on-site at 1:20 pm and EPA OSC Kathy Parker arrived at 1:50 pm. START arrived on site at 3 pm. EPA conducted air monitoring for chlorine at the property perimeter and at the day care center across Industrial Way from the plant. All perimeter monitoring results were non-detect. EPA detected a concentration of 0.35 ppm chlorine gas in the air near the leaking valve at around 4 pm.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Around 9:30 am, the incident was reported to the NRC and on-site workers started applying a mist of water to the area to prevent the formation of chlorine gas. At the same time, ten responders from the Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue Department arrived on-site. From 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm, the Fire Dept. applied water to the area to prevent the formation of chlorine gas. Chlorine dioxide liquid leaking from the tank and fire fighting run-off water were captured in secondary containment and directed to the on-site water treatment facility. The plant modified their paper-making process to pull a larger volume from the leaking tank in order to draw down the liquid level as fast as possible.
The EPA OSC arrived on the scene at 1:50 pm and integrated into unified command with the Washington Department of Ecology, the management personnel from Weyerhaeuser, and two Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue Assistant Chiefs. Weyerhaeuser showed the OSC their fixed position chlorine gas monitoring results. Concentrations in air near the tank had reached 10 ppm chlorine during the day. Fixed air monitors at the property perimeter were not operational.
At 2:33 pm, the liquid level in the tank dropped below the leaking flange and the leak slowed to almost a stop. The company plans to do a failure analysis once the pressure has been bled from the tank.
START and and additional EPA OSC arrived at 3 pm and the Weyerhaeuser Command Team provided a briefing of the current situation and planned actions to terminate the event.
EPA and START entered the facility along with Weyerhaeuser personnel to inspect the leak and affected area. START took multiple chlorine readings near the leaking valve and at several areas around the chlorine dioxide tank storage area. All the readings were below TWA action levels. Facility personnel were still applying water to the valve to reduce the amount of chlorine gas being generated. A chlorine reading taken near the leak was 0.35 ppm at 4 pm. The leak appeared to be contained by the tanks' secondary containment.
The OSC took several pictures were taken of the valve and the tank storage and the secondary containment area. The valve was corroded. The pictures are posted on this website.
A chlorine reading was taken at a day-care facility, off-site and downwind in a residential area. That reading was non-detect.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Based on the Removal Site Investigation and air monitoring results, the OSC determined that the mitigating action taken by the company was appropriate and protective of human health and the environment.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)PRP is Weyerhaeuser Company. No enforcement activities performed at this time.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
None
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Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
No activities planned at this time
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
No activities planned at this time
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
RMP and EPCRA inspections may be performed by EPA.
2.2.2 Issues
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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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
Both EPA and START viewed a safety video covering the safety requirements of the Weyerhaeuser facility. START also completed a HASP based upon the tasks to be performed during the site visit. A safety briefing with Weyerhaeuser personnel, START and EPA was conducted before entering the facility. All EPA and START staff wore the safety PPE requirements to enter the facility:
Hard Hat
Steel Toed Safety Shoes
Safety Glasses
Hearing protection
Reflective Vest
2.6 Liaison Officer
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
Weyerhaeuser used their own PIO, Anthony Chavez, to issue the press release. The company issued a news release that was picked up by "The Daily News Online - Serving the Lower Columbia" and posted at their website at 6:30 pm that night.
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
Unified Command
Weyerhaeuser Response Managers
Cowlitz #2 Fire and Rescue Department
WDOE
EPA
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Cooperating Agencies
USCG
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4. Personnel On Site
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Personnel Onsite
7 Weyerhaeuser Command Team members
3 Weyerhaeuser Response personnel
2 Cowlitz #2 Fire and Rescue Department Command Team member
8 Cowlitz #2 Fire and Rescue Department Responders
1 Washington Department of Ecology
2 EPA
2 START
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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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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