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FMO Pesticide Site

All POL/SITREP's for this site FMO Pesticide Site
Orefield, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #33
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 #33
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: 2/3/2012
Reporting Period: 12/16/2011 - 01/30/2012

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

A  total of 23 properties required removal activities.  All 23 properties have been completed to date.  "Complete" refers to excavation being complete and the yard being restored with sod. Additonal watering activities are conducted after a property is completed, if necessary.
 
On 12/16, ERRS completed compaction and dress of the backfill of the 23rd property. 

On 12/19 sod was installed in the backyard of the 23rd property.  ERRS crew began demobing equipment from the offsite staging area and dismantling the fence at the offsite staging area.  ERRS crew also removed safety fencing from 21st and 22nd property completed.  ERRS crew also began some command post shutdown activities.

On 12/21 the final rolloff containing debris was sent offsite for disposal.  All remaining ERRS crew demobed for the holiday on Dec. 22nd.

On 12./23/11 and 01/12/12  START personnel video documented the conditions at the 23rd property.

On 01/08/12, the ERRS response manager (RM) and field cost accountant (FCA) remobed to the site to complete shutdown activities.

On 01/11/12 the OSC, START and RM met with property owner of the 23rd property to observe sod and get preliminary sign off from the owner.  This property will be revisited in the early spring to ensure that the sod installed late in the season does thrive. During this week personnel continued removal of equipment and other activities to relinquish the property to the owner.

On 01/19/12 the ERRS RM and FCA demobed from site. Keys were given back to the property owner.


A total of 157 rolloffs containing an estimated 2,267 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste.   A total of 6 rolloffs containing an estimated  13.21 tons of debris have been shipped offsite. as    


  2.2 Planning Section
   
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
 
ERRS RM, START and OSC will remobe to site in early Spring to evaluate the condition of the sod and to ensure sod is performing as expected.  Site closeout should occur in late Spring 2012.  Next POLREP will be issued in Spring 2012.


 2.2.1.2 Next Steps  

EPA contractors will begin preparation of a trip report in early 2012 for the sampling and analytical data collected during removal activities.  In addition EPA contractors will begin preparation of a project closeout report.  Post-excavation results letters will be mailed to property owners still awaiting results.
   
  
2.2.2 Issues     
    None
  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 December 16, 2011, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On December 17, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On December 18, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On December 19, 2011, 4 Kemron, and 3 Sod Works personnel were onsite.
On Decemner 20, 2011, 3 Kemron, 2 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On December 21, 2011, 3 Kemron personnel were onsite.
On December 22, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On December 23, 2011, 1 Weston personnel was onsite.
On December 27, 2011, 1 START personnel was onsite
On January 9 and 10, 2012, 2 Kemoron personnel were onsite.
On January 11, 2012, 2 Kermron, 1 START and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On January 12 and 13, 2012, 2 Kemron and 1 START personnel were onsite.
On January 16 thru 19, 2012, 2 Kemron 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.