Pollution/Situation Report Profile

FMO Pesticide Site
Orefield, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #25
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 #25
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:

10/19/2011

Reporting Period:

10/7/2011 to 10/14/2011

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 22 properties require removal activities. Sixteen properties have been completed to date. "Complete" refers to excavation being complete and the yard being restored with sod. Additional watering activities are conducted at a given property after being completed.

Beginning October 7, ERRS continued to excavate the back yard of the 19th property. Certain areas of the back yard were hand dug due to the presence of a shallow tree roots, and septic system. Excavation was completed on October 13. Rain on October 14 resulted in a shortened work day. Backfilling with certified clean topsoil will be completed next week. Samples were collected from the base of each excavation prior to backfilling. 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. No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area. A total of 7 rolloffs were used for excavation activities conducted at this property.

In addition to excavation activities, sod was installed at the 16th and 18th properties, on October 11 and 14, respectively.

EPA was contacted by another resident to collect Phase II samples from their property. A new assessment lab assignment will be opened with expedited turn-around-time and samples will be collected from their property next week.

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

A total of 104 rolloffs containing an estimated 1,664 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste. There are currently 4 rolloffs staged onsite, one containing soil and three empty to use at the next residence.

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 22nd 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. Both excavation/backfilling and sod installations have been delayed because of the wet weather. Sod can not be cut when the fields are wet. The OSC plans to complete all digging and backfilling this fall. The OSC expects to be able to install sod until ground temperatures fall below 40 degrees F.  Some property restorations may not be completed until next Spring.

2.3 Logistics Section