U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Southwest Vermiculite - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial POLREP - Early Response - Southwest Vermiculite Site - Haines Avenue Residences
Southwest Vermiculite
Albuquerque, NM
Latitude: 35.1025100 Longitude: -106.6444900
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To:
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From:
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Mike McAteer, OSC
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Date:
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1/18/2012
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Reporting Period:
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January 11, 2012 to January 18, 2012
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
NMN000607041 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
1/4/2012 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
1/11/2012 |
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Start Date: |
1/12/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
NMN000607041 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response Removal Action
1.1.2 Site Description
The residential properties where this response action is taking place consist of two residential properties and one vacant lot (home was demolished in 2006) located north of the former SWV processing facility and are situated on Haines Avenue (addresses are 7, 11, and 15 Haines Ave). Of the two residential structures, one family currently occupies one home and the other home is vacant and is up for sale. The vacant lot previously contained a home but, it was demolished in 2006, and the lot is currently being used as a parking area for workers and customers at the recycling facility across the street.
Field assessment sampling activities occurred in two phases. Phase I was initiated on January 26, 2011 and was completed on January 27, 2011. During Phase I, soil samples were collected from two of the subject properties. Because access to the third property was not granted at that time, EPA returned to conduct Phase II field assessment activities on June 15, 2011 which included collecting soil samples from the third residential property. The field assessment sampling activities were conducted to determine the presence of Libby Asbestos (LA) or tremolite fibers associated with the Libby, Montana, WR Grace mining operations.
Soil samples were collected from 7 grids across the three properties. Analysis of the samples collected from the interval at 0 to 1 inch bgs indicated that two grids had no asbestos detected. Three grids had amphibole asbestos fibers detected in trace amounts (> 0% but < 0.20%). One grid had amphibole asbestos fibers detected at greater than .20% but less than 1.0% and one grid had amphibole asbestos fibers detected at 2.0%. Soil samples collected from the same 7 grids at the interval from 1 to 6 inches bgs indicated that four had no asbestos detected and three had trace amounts (>0% but < 0.20%).
Subsurface soil samples were collected from soil cores collected from two of the subject lots at the following depths: 6 to 12 inches bgs; 12 to 24 inches bgs; 24 to 36 inches bgs; 36 to 48 inches bgs; 48 to 60 inches bgs; and 60 to 72 inches bgs. Analysis of these deep samples indicated amphibole asbestos fibers in trace concentrations (> 0% but < 0.20%) in the 12 to 24 inches bgs sample in one grid, and in the 36 to 48 inches and 60 to 72 inches bgs samples in another grid.
1.1.2.1 Location
The three residential properties are located at 7, 11, and 15 Haines Ave (northeast corner of Haines and 1st Street) in Albuquerque, NM.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Asbestos has been detected in residential soils surrounding two homes and a vacant residential lot. One of the homes is currently occupied and the other is vacant and up for sale. Current and future residents at these three properties can easily disturb this contaminated soil by way of routine residential activities such as walking, playing or through routine yard maintenance. Airborne exposure to asbestos may occur through the release of asbestos fibers in contaminated soil through routine residential activities. Effects of asbestos on the lungs is a major health concern as chronic (long-term) exposure to asbestos in humans via inhalation can result in a lung disease termed asbestosis. A large number of occupational studies have reported that exposure to asbestos via inhalation can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma (a rare cancer of the membranes lining the abdominal cavity and surrounding internal organs). The routine daily use and disturbance of the soil on these three properties greatly increases the potential for exposure to human populations.
Soil sampling data from assessment activities at the three residential properties shows Libby asbestos contamination on varying grids on the Site ranging in levels between 0 and 2%. Due to the elevated levels of asbestos already detected in soils, EPA has decided not to conduct Activity Based Sampling (ABS) on these properties and will instead conduct this emergency response action. This will include grids where trace amounts of asbestos were detected. Based on ABS scenarios conducted at the Solico Site, approximately 2 miles north of the SWV site, EPA has found that even trace level grids can produce elevated levels of asbestos fibers in the air. This fact is most likely a result of the dry soil conditions and lack of vegetative cover which are common in this desert climate. Also, because of the small size of these properties and the known cost to conduct ABS versus the cost to remediate, EPA believes it is more cost effective and more protective to simply remove the contaminated grids instead of expending more time and funds to conduct ABS.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Analytical results of soil samples indicate the presence of asbestos in surface soils at concentrations as high as 2% and in subsurface soils as high as .25%.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
EPA Region 6, along with our ERRS and START contractors mobilized to the site in Albuquerque on January 11, 2012 and preparatory and removal work began onsite on January 12, 2012.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
In addition to routine setup activities such as equipment mobilization, command post setup, work zone delineation, relocating/securing resident personal effects, excavation of soil has been initiated. Soil excavation and staging has also been conducted in conjunction with the utility locating, and a gravel pad has been installed to accommodate parking of transport trucks during loading of excavated soil.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
EPA currently anticipates that the total duration of the removal activities will require approximately 3 weeks to conduct.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
This response action will include the following:
a. As necessary, continue to assess and characterize threats posed by the Site including sampling of soils for asbestos contamination in both onsite and offsite areas.
b. Excavate and remove asbestos-contaminated soils. The excavation depth will be two feet below grade.
c. Fill all excavated areas with clean fill material using an approved compaction method.
d. Dispose of contaminated soils excavated pursuant to subparagraph b. above at an
EPA-approved offsite disposal facility in accordance with Section 121(d)(3) of CERCLA and 40 CFR 300.440, and transport all waste materials in accordance with Department of Transportation rules and regulations.
e. Suppress dust and control erosion during the removal action.
f. Monitor and sample as necessary personal and ambient air during removal activities.
g. Restore the surface features to pre-existing conditions as appropriate.
h. Prevent future disturbances, such as excavation of areas of the Site where contamination remains at depths greater than two feet below grade and/or under physical containment systems. Coordinate with the current owner of the Site property and with the appropriate State and local authorities for institutional controls to implement such restrictions.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
2.2.2 Issues
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
EPA OSC Mike McAteer is responsible for overall site safety.
Clint Henderson of Bandera Resources is the Site Safety Officer for the ERRS team. The START Project Manager, John Koehnen, is the Site Safety Officer for the START team.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
2.5.3 Information Officer
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED)
New Mexico OSHA
Bernalillo County Health Department
City of Albuquerque, NM
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4. Personnel On Site
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START Contractor: Dynamac Corporation
ERRS Contractor: Environmental Quality Management, Inc. (EQM)
ERRS Subcontractors: Bandera Resources
United States Environmental Services (USES)
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
No information available at this time.
6.2 Reporting Schedule
No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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