Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Air Liquide America Specialty Gasses
West Baton Rouge, LA - EPA Region VI
POLREP #3
Final

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Air Liquide America Specialty Gasses - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI

Subject:

POLREP #3
Final
Air Liquide America Specialty Gasses

West Baton Rouge, LA
Latitude: 30.5030250 Longitude: -91.3206017

To:

From:

Roberto Bernier, FOSC

Date:

5/23/2012

Reporting Period:

2000 hrs on 5/22/2012 to 0830 hrs on 5/223/2012

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	A6EL	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Assessment
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	5/21/2012	Start Date:	5/21/2012
Demob Date:	5/23/2012	Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
At 1025 hours on 21 May 2012, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) reported that a fire and explosion had occurred at the Air Liquide facility near Port Allen, Louisiana. The Air Liquide America Specialty Gas facility is an acetylene transfer and loading station. Due to the flammability of the acetylene product and ongoing potential for explosion or violent reaction, a one mile evacuation area was set in place by the Louisiana State Police (LSP). In addition, US Hwy 190 and the Union Pacific railroad were closed as a precaution. The cause of the fire was believed to be a faulty valve on one of the cylinders.

Approximately 40 residences and 80-90 persons were evacuated to the Port Allen and Erwinville Community Centers. All four lanes of HWY 190 have been closed for a 3 mile stretch. 1.5 miles in either direction of the incident area.

Air Liquide America personnel reported the incident to the National Response Center (NRC) on 22 May 2012 (NRC Report No. 1012249).

1.1.2 Site Description
The site consists of a facility building/warehouse, tanker trucks with a transfer area, and approximately 300 acetylene cylinders. The facility is located in a sparsely populated area surrounded by farmland and other industries. There are several residences nearby to the north of the site

1.1.2.1 Location
The incident occurred at the Air Liquide Specialty Gas facility located at 7425 Highway 190 West, West Baton Rouge Parish, Port Allen, LA. The facility is bordered by US Hwy 190 and Union Pacific Railroad to the north, Southern Packing Company to the south and east, and rural farmland to the west. The nearest residence is located approximately 500 feet north of the facility.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
An explosion initiated a fire within an acetylene cylinder holding area at the facility. The explosion occurred during routine servicing activities of an acetylene residue cylinder. The belief was that the cylinder had a faulty valve that lead to the ignition of the fire. One Air Liquide worker was taken to the hospital with minor burns.

The initial fire was allowed to burn out. The facility building and three tanker trucks on the property were not impacted by the fire. The primary threat was initially considered to be the close proximity of the tanker trucks to the burning acetylene cylinders. LDEQ has conducted perimeter air monitoring (1 mile radius) near the incident location. All air monitoring results have been reported as non-detect except one acetone reading (6.0 ppb) during the initial round. Smoke initially inhibited visibility along Highway 190 but has since subsided. Fire from the cylinders did escape and started a grass fire along US Hwy 190 but has since been extinguished. Acetylene is highly flammable and can react violently under certain conditions. Acetylene is commonly mixed with other hazardous substances such acetone or dimethylformamide to stabilize the pressure and make it safer for transport.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
FOSC Bernier and START-3 contractors responded to the incident and met with LDEQ, Louisiana State Police (LSP), Erwinville and Port Allen Fire Departments, West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs and Air Liquide representatives. The initial fire was allowed to burn out. Once extinguished, Air Liquide disallowed access to the hot zone area for approximately 8-12 hours to allow adequate cooling before handling the cylinders. The three tanker trucks located within the facility were not impacted by the explosion or fire. LDEQ conducted VOC, LEL, and CO2 air monitoring utilizing Porta Sens monitors along at the 1 mile perimeter near the incident location. LDEQ also mobilized the mobile air monitoring lab (MAML) to the scene and monitored air quality as well as performed suma canister sampling. All air monitoring results have been reported as non-detect. Initially no one was allowed to access grounds of the facility. LSP, local fire departments and HAZMAT units did enter the site to do a preliminary assessment at 1800 hours on 21 May 2012. It was then decided to allow the remaining cylinders that were continuing to smolder, burn out. At around 1830 hrs, no substantial visible plume or smoke was noted. Air monitoring activities continued overnight and into the following day.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative
During this reporting period, Air Liquide contractors continued to place unaffected cylinders on wooden pallets and stage them on the western side of the property. Once segregation activities of the unaffected cylinders were completed, the LSP requested that all responding agencies prepare command posts and equipment for removal from the US Highway 190 staging area. LDEQ provided a last round of perimeter air monitoring at approximately 0730 hours on 23 May 2012. All results were nondetect. At 0800 hours, US Highway 190 was reopened to public traffic and the 1.5 mile evacuation notice was lifted.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
On 21 May 2012, LSP issued an evacuation notice for residents living within a 1.5 mile radius of the incident. A 1.5 mile stretch of US Hwy 190 was also closed. LSP, local fire departments, and Air Liquide representatives entered the site to inspect the incident area. Due to the volatile nature of the acetylene product, the fire was allowed to burn itself out. LDEQ provided perimeter air monitoring activities.

On 22 May 2012, LSP, LDEQ, and EPA entered the hot zone to assess the status of the acetylene cylinders that were being allowed to burn out. Approximately 90-95% of the cylinders were extinguished. Local fire departments sprayed water on the cylinders to extinguish the remaining smoldering cylinders and assist with cooling. Air Liquide personnel began removing empty trailers that were parked near the fire zone. Air Liquide response contractors began segregating non-impacted cylinders onto tractor trailers. LDEQ continued to provide perimeter air monitoring activities.

After cooling activities concluded, segragation activities continued until early morning hours on 23 May and the threat of fire and/or explosion was over. Of the 400+ cylinders that were affected, only about 12 remained under pressure to be handled accordingly. Potable water from the West Baton Rouge Water District was used for the cooling activities. Cooling water only accumulated along 75 yards by the railroad ballast and at a natural depression to the west of the fire area or pad. Cooling water Command operations were shut down and the Highway reopened and evacuation lifted. All agencies demobed and the RP resumed fimishing cleanup activities.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Air Liquide America Specialty Gases located at 7425 Hwy 190 West, Port Allen, LA is listed as the responsible party.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
The LSP has determine that the incident no longer poses and imminent threat to the public. LDEQ and EPA have demobilized from the site.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
No additional emergency response activities are scheduled

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Air Liquide and their response contractors will continue to clean up the facility. Cylinders found that still contain acetylene will be collected and the material will be flared off.

2.2.2 Issues
No emergency response issues.

2.3 Logistics Section