Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Eastern Plating Fire
Baltimore, MD - EPA Region III
POLREP #2
Continued Cleanup by the Responsible Party

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Eastern Plating Fire - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #2
Continued Cleanup by the Responsible Party
Eastern Plating Fire

Baltimore, MD
Latitude: 39.2790181 Longitude: -76.5677062

To:

From:

Gregory Ham, On Scene Coordinator

Date:

5/1/2012

Reporting Period:

April 26 - May 2, 2012

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	A3UG	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:		Start Date:	4/23/2012
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency response due to a fire at an anodizing facility.
1.1.2 Site Description
Former anodizing operation in a small brick building located within a residential community.
1.1.2.1 Location
1200 South Bayliss Street, Baltimore, MD 21224
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Primarily sulfuric, chromic, and nitric acids in open vats.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
During the fire large volumes of water were poured on the site. Since the acids were in open vats, the water mixed with the acids and flowed out of the building into two adjacent alleys. The fire department put hoses on each alley to dilute the acid, which flowed down the alleys, into storm drains, and eventually to the harbor. Tests at the outfall into the harbor indicated that the liquid was approximately neutral pH at the discharge.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative
The Baltimore City Haz Mat unit, the Maryland Department of the Environment Emergency Response Division, and EPA are overseeing the cleanup of the site.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
On Monday, April 30, 2012, the company's environmental consultant sampled all the remaining tanks at the facility, and the two dumpsters of debris removed from the facility. Once the lab results are received, the proper disposal for these liquids and debris will be determined and arranged for. On Wednesday, May 2, 2012 the tanks containing rinsewater for the chromium process (which most likely has chromium in it and cannot be discharged to the sanitary sewer in accordance with the City discharge permit) were pumped out into a tanker truck for proper treatment/disposal by the facility that Eastern Plating routinely uses for chromium waste disposal. 1,475 gallons were removed.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Work is currently being done voluntarily by the PRP.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*
Acid wastes, sulfuric	liquid	1,300 gal	008980654JJK
Acid wastes, chromic	liquid	2,350 gal	000184652JJK
Chromium rinsewater	liquid	1,475 gal	009701032JJK

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Continued oversight of PRP activities by MDE and EPA.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Liquid wastes that may be discharged to the sanitary sewer will be placed in a tank truck to be brought onsite. Once the wastes are accumulated, a sample will be taken to ensure compliance with the discharge permit. If in compliance, the City will be notified, and they will be provided with the sample results, and will be able to take a sample if needed prior to approving the dishcarge. Any remaining small amounts of liquid and debris in the tanks and in the building sump will be drummed and tested for proper disposal, according to the company owner.

Arrangements have been made with a vendor who supplies materials for the company to remove the usable materials in the storage area to be taken to the company's other location for use in their process.

Once the sampling results for the debris in the building are received, the environmental consultant for the company will develop a plan for disposal of the debris in the building. Once the plan is approved and the City Fire Department gives the OK, the debris will be removed for proper disposal.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Continued sampling and removal of all wastes and debris in the building.
2.2.2 Issues

2.3 Logistics Section