Pollution/Situation Report Profile

FMO Pesticide Site
Orefield, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #18
On Going Removal Action

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
FMO Pesticide Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #18
On Going Removal Action
FMO Pesticide Site
A3PZ
Orefield, PA
Latitude: 40.6322715 Longitude: -75.6149893

To:

Gerald Heston, US EPA Region III
Jeff Bartlett, North Whitehall Township
Dennis Carney, EPA Region III
Linda Marzulli, EPA Region III

From:

Ruth Scharr, Federal On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

8/3/2011

Reporting Period:

7/24/2011 through 8/3/2011

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	A3PZ	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:	9/1/2010
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	7/1/2010	Start Date:	9/17/2010
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:	PAN000306719	RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Time-Critical Removal

1.1.2 Site Description

The Site is characterized as a time-critical removal. The Site includes land that was used formerly for the commercial growing and harvesting of fruit from orchard trees and are currently zoned for residential or public use primarily in North Whitehall Township, PA. Lead arsenate pesticide was historically used for several decades at the Site until its use was banned in 1988 by EPA. Elevated levels of arsenic and lead have been detected in surface soil samples on residential parcels and in public use areas. The FMO Pesticide Action Memo was submitted by the OSC and signed on September 1, 2010 approving a Removal Action which addresses contamination at residential parcels.

1.1.2.1 Location

The site is located in the Orefield/Schnecksville area of North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Incidental ingestion of lead and arsenic through direct contact with contaminated soil, or ingestion of contaminants from small particles that have been aerosolized from the disturbance of soil.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Currently a total of 21 properties require removal activiteies. Thirteeen properties have been completed to date.

Excavation continued in the back yard at the current residence this week. Many trees with shallow roots exist in the yards of this property. Due to the presence of surface roots and many shallow roots in the areas of the back yard being excavated, much of the back yard was hand dug to avoid damaging the root systems. These areas were back filled prior to completing the entire back yard excavation to avoid over exposure to the excessive heat. The areas were back filled with certified clean topsoil. Samples were collected from the base of each excavation proir to back filling. The side yard areas of the residence were restored with mulch instead of sod at the resident's request. The back yard areas will be restored with sod. No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area at either residence. A total of one rolloff was used for excavation activities conducted this week.

In addition to excavation activities,sod was installed in the small back yard area of the residence previously excavated during the last reporting period.

Additional Phase II samples were collected from one property and extent of contamination samples were collected from another property from which removal access was granted. All Phase II and extent of contamination samples were shipped to CLP for analysis.

Due to concerns and complications with sod maintenance and upkeep during the hot summer months, part of the ERRS crew was demobed on 7/30 and excavation activites were put on hold until 8/21. Several ERRS crew members will remain onsite during this period to water sod.

ERRS continues to water the sod each day at properties identified by EPA. Sod is watered in early morning and later evening to avoid burning. Sod was not watered if it rained.

A total of 58 rolloffs containing an estimated 928 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste. Three rolloffs are currently staged onsite; two containing soil, one containing PPE.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

ERRS will remobe to the site on 8/21 and resume excavation activities.

Property specific work plans for residences requiring soil excavation will continue to be prepared. EPA will be meeting and scheduling with residents where removal activities may take place. At times scheduled between the resident and EPA, excavation of properties will occur, samples will be collected, backfill installed, and sod installed.

Air monitoring will not be conducted during the demobe period.

Samples will be shipped to an offsite laboratory for Post-Excavation activities. For any newly added removal action properties, Extent of Contamination samples will be collected and shipped off-site to a laboratory for analysis. This will provide quicker results and enable the action to be taken this year. These samples will be shipped for offsite analysis. ERRS will continue to water sod during the demobe period.

EPA will prepare closeout letters for those properties where we have received validated data for post-excavation sampling. Letters will include maps showing where EPA excavated and restored the property and a table of post excavation sampling results. Post-excavation walkthroughs are being scheduled at residences at which excavation activities have been completed.

Upon receipt of the validated Phase II data from the samples collected this week, the property owner will be provided the results. Upon receipt of validated data from the extent of contamination samples collected this week, EPA will evaluate the data and determine excavation areas and the proper course of action for removal action.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps


2.2.2 Issues

        The lack of rain and severe heat continues to complicate the stablization of the new sod and the restoration of properties.   Sod watering has been increased because during the period of initial rooting (approximatley 3 weeks),   EPA is continues to irrigate the sod using water trucks.watering lawns twice a day for fours weeks, and at least once a day after that to avoid sod failure.

    Recently the Township roadmaster informed the ERRs Response Manager of a resurfacing project within the Schnecksville area.  Creekview Drive is one of the streets scheduled for resurfacing in early September. EPA will need to stay off that street for approximately one month.  Several properties are still slated for a removal action on Creekview Drive in Schnecksville, PA. These properties may have to be moved to the spring of next year. The OSC and ERRs contractor will continue to coordinate with the Township on this project.

2.3 Logistics Section