Pollution/Situation Report Profile

FMO Pesticide Site
Orefield, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #31
Ongoing 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 #31
Ongoing 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:

12/7/2011

Reporting Period:

11/29/11 to 12/2/11

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.

The crew remobed back to the Site on 11/28. On 11/29, excavation resumed on the side yard of the 23rd peoperty. Areas around the roots of the tree in the side yard were hand dug to aviod damaging the tree. 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. Excavation of the side yard was complete on 11/30. The area was then backfilled with certified clean soil. Backfill was complete on 12/2. The area was covered with impermeable plastic prior to weekend cessation.
On 11/29 sod was installed on the west side of the front yard.

Sod did not require watering due to adequate precipitation.

A total of 139 rolloffs containing an estimated 2,224 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste. A total of 7 rolloffs have been used at property 23, to date. Currently, there are 6 rolloffs staged onsite; 3 containing soil and 3 being loaded from the 23rd property.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Crew will contine excavation in the backyard at the 23rd, and final property, and sod will be installed on the east side of the front yard and side yard,if weather permits.

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.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Backfilling of the backyard at the final property is expected to be complete the week of 12/12. Weather permitting, sod will be installed the following week.  Dismantling of the fence at the staging area will commence the week of 12/19.  Shutdown of the onsite command post will commence in January 2012. EPA contractors will begin preparation of a trip report in early 2012 for sampling and analytical data collected during removal activities. In addition EPA contractors will begin preparation of a project closeout report.


2.2.2 Issues

       None

2.3 Logistics Section