Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Magnablend Chemical Fire
Waxahachie, TX - EPA Region VI
POLREP #2

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Magnablend Chemical Fire - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI

Subject:

POLREP #2
Magnablend Chemical Fire

Waxahachie, TX
Latitude: 32.4221743 Longitude: -96.8552113

To:

From:

Nicolas Brescia, OSC

Date:

10/4/2011

Reporting Period:

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	A6CQ	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Assessment
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	10/3/2011	Start Date:	10/3/2011
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
Site is a chemical manufacturing, custom blending, and packaging facility, serving the agricultural, oil and gas, and other industries. At approximately 1100, a fire and explosion occurred at the facility. The explosion occurred during a process of mixing/blending materials, the nature of which is currently being investigated.

Approximately 10 rail cars were impacted by the fire. Inspections indicated no leaks of product from the cars but one tank car has been heavily damaged by the fire. The contents of the railcars ranged from petroleum distillates to ethylene glycol. As of 2:30 pm the fire was reported as 80% contained. State highway 287 was closed east of IH35. Approximately 1,000 individuals were evacuated (Navarro College, Wedgeworth Elementary, and two retirement homes located downwind of the plume), but the evacuation order was lifted at 5:00 pm. State Highway (SH) 287 has been reopened; however, the frontage road remains closed. TCEQ reported that three individuals have self-reported to the local hospital with unknown symptoms.

1.1.2.1 Location
The site is located near the southeast corner of the intersection of the intersection of US287 and IH35 East. Geographic coordinates are Latitude: 32.4254180 N, Longitude: 96.8854884 W.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

An chemical inventory list provided by the RP contains chemicals in multiple hazard classes in unknown quantities. The fire was large and produced a large black smoke plume. OSC Brescia and ERT conducted an initial assessment of the chemical inventory list and created a real time air monitoring plan to address particulate and VOC readings off site. The site is located near residential areas, commercial businesses, a college and an elementary school. Fire fighting efforts produced large quantities of runoff water which entered a creek near the facility. Due to the multiple hazard classes on site, the firewater contained many unknowns.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

On 10/03/2011, EPA On Scene Coordinators Nicolas Brescia and Brandi Todd arrived onsite at approximately 1245 hours. EPA OSCs Brescia and Todd were briefed of site situation by Waxahachie and Desoto Fire Department representatives. TCEQ representatives were on site as well as representatives from multiple other local fire departments. OSC Brescia and OSC Todd were briefed by the RP on site conditions, current status of firefighting and cleanup activities, and status of Hazmat contractors on scene. OSC Brescia contacted NARAC and requested a plume model for a 12 hour duration to assist in determining the appropriate locations to begin air monitoring activities. EPA START contractors mobilized to the scene and began perimeter air monitoring for total particulates and Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) at approximately 1400 hours. VOCs were not detected and all particulate air monitoring data was below established action levels. The monitoring activities were focused downwind of the plume at approximately 1/4, 1/2, and at a 1 mile radius. The EPA Aspect aircraft performed aerial reconnaissance and infrared spectrum analysis of the fire plume at approximately 1530 hours. EPA ASPECT reported the presence of Isobutylene and Propylene oxide (organic compounds) were detected in the plume at a concentration less than 1 PPM. Isobutylene is a flammable compound known to be stored on site. During air monitoring activities, OSC Brescia informed the RP that the RP needed to obtain a contractor to perform air monitoring for the duration of the incident. The RP agreed and contracted CTEH to conduct air monitoring activities.

Responsible party contractors are onsite performing containment and recovery of fire runoff water, perimeter air monitoring, and air monitoring at nearby schools. As of 2030, approximately 60,000 gallons fire water runoff has been collected and contained in frac tanks. EPA START contractors collected 4 water samples, one near the site and three downstream, to be analyzed for volatile organic compounds, semi volatile organic compounds, pesticides/PCBs, herbicides, and total metals. The National Guard 6th Civil Support Team (CST) is also onsite performing air monitoring along with TCEQ. All air monitoring activities are being coordinated through OSC Brescia and TCEQ Jeff Kunze for all state agencies and private contractors on site. All air monitoring data will be posted to epaosc.org as it is received. If action levels are reached for particulate of VOCs, the RP is to notify EPA and TCEQ immediately. EPA and TCEQ created a air monitoring/sampling plan to be followed by the RP. The plan covers action levels for particulate and VOCs and directions on when to collect air samples as needed.

On 10/04/2011, EPA OSC Brescia and TCEQ Jeff Kunze met with the RP's chemist and went over the chemical inventory list. The RP's chemist informed OSC Brescia and TCEQ Jeff Kunze that the majority of the products on site were used in animal feed additives. The RP's chemist verified the contents on site and the contents in the railcars. The RP chemist's primary concerns for byproducts in the fire are soot from combustion with associated sulfur compounds. A small amount of resins would also contribute to combustion products. OSC Brescia and TCEQ Kunze requested a labeled site map showing product location. No annhydrous ammonia was ever present on site.

OSC Brescia and TCEQ Kunze formalized a reporting period for the RP to provide operational briefings on the status of monitoring and cleanup activities. The RP installed fences around firewater drainage basin areas including the basin next to the elementary school down gradient per OSC direction. The RP continued to conduct air monitoring operations within and outside the perimeter of the facility. The RP continued to recover firewater from the drainage basins. Approximatley 300,000 gallons of firewater has been collected to date. Initial estimates of remaining fire water to be recovered is 700,000 gallons. The RP began preparing multiple work plans to be reviewed by the OSC and TCEQ prior to implementation. The RP inspected the railcars and is working with BNSF on potential movement of the railcars once the area has been cleared by the initial hazmat team during removal operations of containers. The RP's initial report is that several of the railcars were damaged by the fire, but that further assessment is necessary. The RP reports that the railcars are stable and that no leaks are present. The RP began implementing the ICS system and created a draft Incident Action Plan(IAP) for review. A formalized IAP will be provided to OSC Brescia and TCEQ Kunze by the end of the day to approve 10/05/11 operations. A local Public Information Officer (PIO) was stood up on site to field any local health concerns. PIO information was submitted to the R6 office.

Air monitoring was conducted by the RP, EPA, TCEQ and CST. Mobile and permanent stations were set-up at many locations to provide real time data for particulate and VOCs. After initial review of the air mointoring data, several air monitor readings indicated elevated levels of particulates. Both the RP contractor and the EPA contractor found readings for particulates in the 100-125 ppb range. These readings were not sustained in the areas monitored for long periods of time. OSC Brescia and TCEQ Kunze are currently evaluating the data to determine if any prolonged periods occurred. Many of the readings are associated with monitoring locations directly within and downwind of the plume. One location was next to the Hampton Inn on John Arden Road. Monitoring Data has been submitted to EPA R6 for review. SO2 was detected between the property line and the frontage road of HWY 287. Confirmation monitoring indicated an elevated level of SO2 on the property and outside of the fenced area. Levels are currently below Short Term Exposure Limits and the area will be monitored by the RP's contractor to determine if levels persist.

The Navarro College was reopened once fencing was placed outside of its parking area to elimate access to drainage areas containing firewater.

CTEH reported that water samples they collected on 10/3/11 identified a number of potentially hazardous chemicals in the drainage basin but did not identify any hazardous chemicals in the ponds. EPA expects to receive START water sampling results early 10/4/11.

A labeled site map showing product location was delivered to OSC Brescia and TCEQ Kunze at 1900.

OSC Brescia and TCEQ Kunze requested the RP extinguish the smoldering debris in order to quickly eliminate smoke migrating off-site. The RP informed OSC Brescia and TCEQ Kunze that a fire suppression crew will arrive on 10/05/11 to begin suppression activities using firefighting foam. OSC Brescia will provide ASPECT imagery indicating hotspots to assist the RP crew in the activities.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The Responsible Party is Magnablend, Inc.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Responsible party (RP) contractors will remain onsite through the night recovering fire water runoff and perimeter air monitoring. EPA and TCEQ will remain onsite through the night assisting in perimeter air monitoring and in the evaluation of cleanup activities. RP will update EPA/TCEQ of any actions levels reached during the monitoring operations. RP will utilize a fire crew to extinguish remaining areas that are smoldering.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

EPA START and TCEQ representatives will remain onsite monitoring responsible party response efforts. EPA START contractors will remain onsite through the night performing additional air monitoring with TCEQ.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues
Fire water runoff has collected in multiple drainage basins including migrating into a local creek and into a pond. The elementary school and college are in close proximity to the drainage basins. Air mointoring is continuing in the area. The fire continues to smoulder. Small fires are present within the facility and are being monitored for any potential flares. At approximatley 2045, a small explosion occurred within the smoldering area creating a large flare lasting approximatley 20 seconds. RP is currently monitoring the situation and has been directed by the OSC to contact the Fire Chief if any of the small fires begin to gain momentum.

2.3 Logistics Section