U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Columbus Train Derailment - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Columbus Train Derailment
Columbus, MI
Latitude: 39.9922460 Longitude: -82.9941130
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To:
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Kevin Clouse, Ohio EPA
Scott Shane, Ohio EPA
Sam Borries, U.S. EPA
Mark Durno, U.S. EPA
Jason El-Zein, U.S. EPA
Sherry Fielding, U.S. EPA
John Glover, U.S. EPA
John Maritote, U.S. EPA
Thomas Marks, U.S. EPA
Carol Ropski, U.S. EPA
Ann Whelan, U.S. EPA
USCG PolRep Distribution, USCG
Lindy Nelson, DOI
Christopher Bonner, Ohio EPA
Chris Holmes, Ohio EPA
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From:
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Jeffrey Lippert, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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7/20/2012
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Reporting Period:
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7/10/2012 - 7/10/2012
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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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: |
PRP |
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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: |
7/10/2012 |
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Start Date: |
7/10/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
7/10/2012 |
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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
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
At approximately 0205 hrs on 7/10/2012, a Norfolk-Southern (NS) train derailed and caught fire in Columbus, Ohio. Three ethanol cars ruptured, along with cars of corn syrup and grain, spilling their contents over an embankment onto a commercial property and into the storm and sanitary sewers. Tankers of Styrene were near the fire and were a threat. Local residents were evacuated and 2 injuries were reported.
A protection perimeter of 1-mile was established. NS were able to remove the styrene cars and pull them down the track to a safe distance. Local responders determined that they would let the ethanol burn and air monitoring was established. No air monitoring exceedences were recorded due to the clean burning nature of ethanol. However, LEL levels were discovered in the the storm and sanitary catch basins. Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA oversaw the removal of the sewer contents via vacuum truck operations. The City of Columbus plugged the storm sewer to prevent flow of the contents to the Scioto River.
1.1.2.1 Location
The incident occurred approximately 300 yards northwest of 1333 Fields Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201. The GPS coordinates for the incident are Latitude: 39.9922460, Longitude: -82.9941130
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The threat was primarily from the tanker cars of styrene and LEL in the sewers.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
EPA arrived on-scene at approximately 1200 hrs. Tankers of styrene had been pulled down the track by NS to a safe distance. Ethanol tankers were burning and the CFD had decided to let them burn. Ethanol was burning cleanly and no air monitoring exceedences had been recorded. LEL conditions existed in both the sanitary and storm sewer catch basins. Both sewers had been plugged by the City of Columbus to prevent the contents from reaching the Scioto River.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
A protection perimeter of 1-mile was established. NS were able to remove the styrene cars and pull them down the track to a safe distance. Local responders determined that they would let the ethanol burn and air monitoring was established. No air monitoring exceedences were recorded due to the clean burning nature of ethanol. However, LEL levels were discovered in the the storm and sanitary catch basins. Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA oversaw the removal of the sewer contents via vacuum truck operations. The City of Columbus plugged the storm sewer to prevent flow of the contents to the Scioto River.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
7/11/2012 - NS used a locomotive engine to pull cars of styrene away from the wreckage. NS brought in truck loads of sand to absorb the corn syrup, wheat and ethanol that was spilled on to the parking lot of 1333 Fields Street. Vacuum trucks were used to remove the contents of the storm and sanitary sewer lines. NS (with assistance from Ohio EPA) obtained approval to pump waste to the Waste Water Treatment Plant for treatment.
Ohio EPA will oversee the cleanup of the soil that was impacted and any long-term remediation.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Norfolk-Southern (NS)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| ethanol waste |
Liquid |
60000 |
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WWTP |
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| R5 Priorities Summary |
| This is an Integrated River Assessment. The numbers should overlap. |
Miles of river systems cleaned and/or restored |
NA |
| Cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed and/or capped |
NA |
| Gallons of oil/water recovered |
NA |
| Acres of soil/sediment cleaned up in floodplains and riverbanks |
NA |
| Stand Alone Assessment |
Acres Protected |
NA |
| Number of contaminated residential yards cleaned up |
NA |
| Human Health Exposures Avoided |
300 |
| Number of workers on site |
80 |
| Contaminant(s) of Concern |
| Contaminant(s) of Concern |
Styrene |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Ohio EPA will oversee the removal of the ethanol contaminated soils and long-term remediation.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
None.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Continue correspondence with Ohio EPA regarding the progress of the cleanup.
2.2.2 Issues
None.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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N/A
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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
CFD
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
CFD
2.5.3 Information Officer
CFD
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
CFD
NS
Ohio EPA
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
City of Columbus
Ohio EPA
U.S. EPA
CFD
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4. Personnel On Site
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U.S. EPA - 1
Ohio EPA - 2
City of Columbus - 7
NS (including contractors) 50
Police - 20
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5. Definition of Terms
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NS - Norfolk-Southern Corporation
Ohio EPA - Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. EPA - United States Environmental Protection Agency
CFD - Columbus Fire Department
LEL - Lower Explosive Limit
PPM - Parts Per Million
NCP - National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
www.epaosc.org/columbustrainderailment
6.2 Reporting Schedule
No further reporting is expected from U.S. EPA.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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NCP
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