Pollution/Situation Report Profile

FMO Pesticide Site
Orefield, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #23
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 #23
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:

10/7/2011

Reporting Period:

9/23/2011 to 9/30/2011

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	A3PZ	Contract Number:	EP-S3-07-03
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 23 properties require removal activities. Fifteen properties have been completed to date.

Beginning September 23, ERRS continued to excavate the front yard of the 17th property. Certain areas of the front yard were hand dug due to the presence of shallow roots from the trees and a dog fence. In addition, two small, isolated excavation areas were hand dug to avoid tracking equipment over clean areas. Excavation was completed on September 27. The areas were back filled with certified clean topsoil. Samples were collected from the base of each excavation prior to back filling. No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area. A total of 5 rolloffs were used for excavation activities conducted at this property.

Due to wet weather, the backfill at the 16th property still could not be compacted for sod installation. Sod will be installed as soon as weather permits.

During this week, when backfilling at the current residence was finished, ERRS relocated equipment and supplies to the 18th residence to be completed and began excavation in the back yard of that residence. Certain areas of the back yard were hand dug due to the presence of a swing set and septic system. No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area at either residence. Backfilling is planned for next week. In the meantime, the excavation was covered with impermeable plastic sheeting prior prior to weekend cessation. No excavation activities are required in the front yard of this property.

ERRS continues to water newly installed sod each day at properties identified by EPA. Sod was not watered if it rained.

A total of 93 rolloffs containing an estimated 1,488 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste. There are currently seven rolloffs staged onsite, five containing soil and two containing debris.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated 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. Currently excavation activities are planned to begin at the 23rd property the week of November 7th. At this property, only the Toddler Play area requires removal action and this area will be restored with mulch.

Samples will be shipped to an offsite laboratory for Post-Excavation activities. These samples will be shipped for offsite analysis. ERRS will continue to water sod as properties indicated by EPA.

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 walk-throughs are being scheduled at residences at which excavation activities have been completed.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps


2.2.2 Issues
   The wet weather has caused delays in performance of the work and has pushed back the schedule for completing all work. The OSC plans to complete all digging and backfilling this fall. The OSC expects to be able to install sod up to approximately the first week in November. Since new sod requires 4 - 5 weeks of frost free temperatures to survive, some property restorations may not be completed until next Spring.

2.3 Logistics Section