U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Bradwell Institute Mercury Release - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Continued Progress at Bradwell Institute Hg Release
Bradwell Institute Mercury Release
B4Q9
Hinesville, GA
Latitude: 31.8496926 Longitude: -81.6016330
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To:
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Shane Hitchcock, USEPA R4 ERRB
Jim Webster, USEPA R4 ERRB
Michelle Cortes, GA EPD
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From:
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Leo Francendese, OSC
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Date:
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3/30/2012
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Reporting Period:
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0930 (3/29/2012) through 1400 (3/30/2012)
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
B4Q9 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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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: |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
3/28/2012 |
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Start Date: |
3/28/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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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
CERCLA ER
1.1.2 Site Description
GA EPD State OSC requested EPA assistance at an elemental mercury release at the Bradwell Institute High School in Hinesville, GA at approximately noon on 3/28/2012.
1.1.2.1 Location
100 Pafford Street
Hinesville, Liberty County,Georgia 31313
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
GA EPD identified released elemental mercury in the school parking lot. Approximately 12 persons (adults and students) were identified as having come into contact with the mercury. Savannah Fire Department assisted Hinesville Fire Department in supplying monitoring equipment for the release. Hinesville Fire Department coordinated with the school, county EMA, and county health department in executing secure, contain, remove, and dispose actions concerning the gross level of mercury contamination in the parking lot. The team also collected footwear and impacted clothing items from the above mentioned persons. Initial screening of the inside of the high school by the team indicated that levels were below immediate concern.
The team requested EPA assistance in both evaluating and determining potential further actions. Approximately 1,800 students attend the Bradwell Institute High School.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Upon arrival at 2130, EPA OSCs and START coordinated with the above mentioned personnel. Unified Command determined that a more thorough mercury vapor air clearance was to be conducted. In addition, the school notified families via OneCall that screening services would be provided for all concerned families and students by the EPA staff.
While the released mercury was secured in the parking lot from public traffic and gross decontamination was conducted by a contractor for the school earlier in the day, significant mercury vapor levels were present (approximately 40,000 nanograms per cubic meter).
The school and the EPA team conducted a multi-hour clearance tests into the early morning hours. In the process of conducting the clearance test, an additional source area was identified in the old Science Room area that was undergoing demolition activities being conducted by a school contractor.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
OSCs Francendese and Garrard continued to coordinate
with the school, county EMA, and county health department.
The EPA team conducted screening activities of
personal items on request from concerned parents, students and faculty. Additional screening of persons who may have
come into contact with elemental mercury will continue. Both the school's custodial staff and demolition contractor were screened for mercury and determined to be below levels of concern. Other storage areas were screened and cleared for their intended purposes. These included conex boxes used by the school for storage of school equipment and a roll-off
container used during school demolition activities.
EPA coordinated with the school and their contractor
to address the source areas including the parking lot and in the Science Room
area. The schools mercury cleanup
contractor arrived on site on the afternoon on 3/29/2012 to begin addressing
the mercury release in the parking lot.
Radiant heaters used to volatilize any remaining contamination. The
source areas continued to be secured and access restricted until cleanup
measures can be completed.
The parking lot was approved for clearance on the morning of the 30th. Both Tetra Tech and OSC Garrard demobed. OSC Francendese reviewed operational plans for further cleanup provided by the school's selected contractor and approved them by midday.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
A Notice of Federal Interest letter (NOFI) was issued to the principal of Bradwell Institute High School on 3/29/2012.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
OSCs will continue to coordinate with
representatives from the school, the county EMA, and the county health
department regarding additional actions to be taken to mitigate the release of
mercury in the Science Room area. OCSs will continue to monitor the progress of
the cleanup contractors.
Additional screening of persons who may have come
into contact with elemental mercury will continue as needed.
All public relations and media inquiries are being directed towards the school's staff, county EMA, and county health department.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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NA
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2.4 Finance Section
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NA
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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NA
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3. Participating Entities
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NA
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA (2) - OSCs
START (2)
Bradwell Institute High School - school administration
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5. Definition of Terms
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NA
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6. Additional sources of information
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NA
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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NA
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POLREP #2 Last Updated 3/31/2012
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