Pollution/Situation Report Profile

FMO Pesticide Site
Orefield, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #29
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 #29
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:

11/17/2011

Reporting Period:

11/04/11 to 11/11/11

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 primarily 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. Twenty-two 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.

On November 4th, excavation activites were started at the 21st property. Crew also worked on November 5th to keep project close to projected schedule. During the week of November 7th, excavation and backfilling activities were completed at the 21st property. Excavation activities included hand digging around the driveway to avoid drainage lines, and in the side yard around the electric dog fence. Heavy equipment was used in both areas to complete excavation activites. Post excavation samples were collected from the property 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 during evenings until backfill was installed.

On November 7th, excavation activities were started at the 22nd property, which consisted of only a Toddler Play Area. The area was hand dug while keeping play equipment in place. The excavated area was backfilled with certified clean soil and finished with playground mulch on November 11th.

Newly installed sod was watered at each property as identified by EPA. Sod was not watered if it rained.

A total of 127 rolloffs containing an estimated 2,032 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste. A total of 9 rolloffs were used at property 21 and one rolloff at property 22. Currently two rolloffs have been used at the 21st property. During this week, 9 rolloffs were received and staged onsite; 6 were shipped off for disposal by November 11th.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Sod installation will begin at the 21st property on November 14th. Excavation activities are scheduled to start at the 23rd and final property on November 14th. Soil within an approximate 40 foot grass buffer from the structure and patio will be excavated in the front, back, and side yards using the results from the recently received Phase II Assessment composite samples rather than conducting Extent of Contamination grab sampling within 40 x 10 foot cells around the structure's perimeter. This will allow EPA contractors to complete the excavation and backfilling of this property in December rather than deferring this work until next Spring.  If the ground temperature holds above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and is projected to remain so through mid-December, then sod will be installed in the front yard of the 23rd property the week of November 28th. Otherwise, seeding and erosion control matting will be installed.  ERRS will continue to water sod, as needed, at properties indicated by EPA.

Post-excavation samples will be shipped to an offsite laboratory for arsenic and lead analysis. Post-excavation walk-throughs are being scheduled at residences at which inital rooting of the sod has occurred. Initial rooting of the sod can take approximately three to four weeks. EPA will prepare the closeout letter for those properties where we have completed post-excavation walkthoughs.  This letter will include a map showing where EPA excavated and restored the property. Post-excavation sampling results will be provided in a separate letter due to the extended turnaround time for the receipt of the validated data.

Crew will demobe on November 19th for the upcoming Holiday, and remobe on November 28th to complete work at the last property.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps




2.2.2 Issues

       None

2.3 Logistics Section