Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Eastern Plating Fire
Baltimore, MD - EPA Region III
POLREP #4
Cleanup continues, hazardous wastes removed

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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 #4
Cleanup continues, hazardous wastes removed
Eastern Plating Fire

Baltimore, MD
Latitude: 39.2790181 Longitude: -76.5677062

To:

From:

Gregory Ham, On Scene Coordinator

Date:

5/31/2012

Reporting Period:

May 12 - 30, 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
As of May 30, most of the liquid in the vats has been removed. The majority of these liquids were neutralized onsite and placed into a 6,000 gallon temporary storage tank onsite. This tank is now being tested and with the approval of the City will be discharged to the sanitary sewer in accordance with Eastern's discharge permit.

Only two vats still have liquids in them. These are rinsewater vats that have levels of chromium in them that is too high to allow discharge to the sanitary sewer. These vats contain approximately 400 gallons of liquid. This liquid will be conbined with the water used to clean the empty chromium tanks, which will then be drummed and shipped offsite for proper treatment and/or disposal.

The debris remaining inside the building has been tested and determined to be non-hazardous, with the exception of some debris in the area of the former chromium tanks. This debris (which contains chromium) will be handled separately. The company is now in the process of sorting through the non-hazardous debris to recover product materials and recycleable scrap. Once that is removed the remainder will be disposed of appropriately.

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	1,783 gal	009701032JJK
Non haz debris	solids	2 rolloffs

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 in the temporary tank onsite are being sampled to ensure compliance with the discharge permit. If in compliance, the City will be notified and 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 vats and in the building sump will be drummed and tested for proper disposal, according to the company owner.

The vendor who supplies materials for the company will remove the usable materials in the storage area. These will be taken to the company's other location for use in their process. This transfer is scheduled for Friday, June 1, 2012.

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