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FMO Pesticide Site

All POL/SITREP's for this site FMO Pesticide Site
Orefield, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #26
On-going Removal Action 		Printer Friendly  |   PDF
 
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 #26
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: 10/28/2011
Reporting Period: 10/14/2011 to 10/21/2011

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.  Eighteen 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 14, ERRS continued to backfill the back yard of the 19th property with certified clean topsoil.  Excavation was complete on October 13.  Rain on October 14 resulted in a shortened work day.  Samples were collected from the base of each excavation prior to backfilling.  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.  Backfilling was complete on October 18.  Sod will be installed next week when the sod farm can cut sod for restoration.

On October 18, ERRS began mobilizing equipment and supplies to the 20th property to begin excavation activities.  Rain on October 19 cancelled work activities for the entire day.  Excavation activities began on October 20.  Certain areas of the back yard around the resident's pool need to be hand dug.  Excavation is required in portions of the back and front yards at this property.  Samples will be collected prior to backfilling.  No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area during this time period.  All excavation areas were covered with impermeable plastic prior to weekend cessation. In addition to excavation activities, sod was installed at the 18th property, on October 14.

START and EPA collected Phase II assessment samples from an additional residence which had requested to be sampled.  The samples were sent to the lab on a 14 day TAT to determine if the property meets the criteria for a removal action and therefore can be excavated this season.

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

A total of 111 rolloffs containing an estimated 1,776 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste.  There are currently 6 rolloffs staged onsite, five containing soil and one 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 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
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer


2.6 Liaison Officer


2.7 Information Officer


2.7.1 Public Information Officer

2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator   
          David Polish  215 814-3327
3. Participating Entities
  No information available at this time.
4. Personnel On Site
 
On October 14, 2011, 1 Weston, 9 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 15, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On October 16, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On October 17, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 2 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 18, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 19, 2011, 1 Weston, 2 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 20, 2011, 2 Weston, 9 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On October 21, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 2 Sod Works personnel were onsite. 
5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.