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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: |
9/6/2012 |
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Start Date: |
9/7/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
9/10/2012 |
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Completion Date: |
9/10/2012 |
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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
Release of a Hazardous Substance (Mercury) into the environment.
1.1.2 Site Description
The Site consists of a Goodwill retail-donation center that is approximately 23,000 square feet in size, as well as a loading dock area behind the building.
1.1.2.1 Location
1974 Wickham Road, Melbourne, Florida
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Mercury was spilled inside the store and was ultimately released into the environment due to disposal methods and cross contamination.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Lumex air monitoring upon arriving on site indicated the presence of Hg in the atmosphere of the store at a constant level of 19 ug/m3 with elevated readings throughout the store reaching as high as 100 ug/m3. Furthermore, readings in the dumpster behind the store and off the "loading ramp" at the back door were also as high as 100 ug/m3.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On the afternoon of September 5, 2012, a customer at the Melbourne Goodwill Retail Center advised the staff that an antique blood pressure cup was broken in the store releasing an unknown amount of Mercury. The broken blood pressure cup was carried throughout the store and eventually thrown into the outside dumpster. After the employees researched Mercury releases on the internet, the blood pressure cup was retrieved from the dumpster (by a vagrant sifting through the dumpster) and given back to the staff. The staff then attempted to mitigate the release themselves, causing cross contamination of some of the employee's clothing.
On September 6, 2012 a cleanup contractor was hired to mitigate the spill. On this date in the late afternoon, FDEP was notified of the release and in turn contacted EPA for assistance. Both EPA and FDEP arrived on site the morning of September 7, 2012 and noted that cleanup efforts the previous day were unsuccessful in mitigating the release (Lumex readings between 19 ug/m3 and 100+ ug/mg were noted throughout the store). The original cleanup contractor did not utilize a Mercury vacuum and ultimately tried to sweep up the Mercury. Goodwill in turn released the contractor and retained the services of another cleanup contractor. A Unified Command was established between the RP, FDEP, EPA, and the RP's cleanup contractor, to address the release of this hazardous substance into the environment.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
The PRP hired a cleanup contractor to mitigate the spill. FDEP Office of Emergency Response and EPA worked with the RP in Unified Command and oversaw cleanup measures. The following actions were taken:
All garments were removed from the store (approximately 30,000). Approximately 20 percent of each clothing rack was screened via Lumex. Those racks that were screened at levels below 10 ug/m3 were transported off-site, baled, and sold to be used as recyclable materials (not to be used as garments). Any racks that screened at levels over 10/ug/m3 were disposed of by the cleanup contractor.
All free mercury was removed via a MercVac and the contents were properly disposed of.
The carpet and some tiles that had been exposed to free mercury were removed and properly disposed of.
The building was swept and mopped with a mercury binding solution to mitigate any mercury that may have remained.
Heating and venting actions were conducted.
An 8 hour Lumex screening clearance operation was conducted by the EPA, with the 8-hour average results being less than 3 ug/m3. The results were forwarded to ATSDR with a recommendation for clearing the building for occupancy and the ATSDR concurred.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
No known enforcement activities exist.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Garments |
Solids |
Approx 10,000 pieces |
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X |
| Garments |
Solids |
Approx 20,000 pieces |
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X recycled |
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| Hg Contaminated Wastes |
Solids |
Approximately 200 pounds |
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X |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Normal store operations will continue in the future. Goodwill staff will remove all Mercury containing devices from their facilities in the Central Florida Region. Mercury awareness training will be given to Goodwill employees.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Response activities have been completed.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
None
2.2.2 Issues
None
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Logistics were conducted under a Unified Command approach with each responding Agency (and the PRP) accounting for their respective logistical needs.
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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
Each responding Agency and the PRP's response contractor accounted for their own Safety Officer. Both FDEP and EPA reviewed the response contractor's safety plan.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
N/A
2.5.3 Information Officer
OSC Russell provided an interview to a local reporter pertaining to the response.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA, FDEP Office of Emergency Response, Goodwill and their response contractor.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
CDC/ATSDR
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4. Personnel On Site
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US EPA
Chris Russell
FDEP Office of Emergency Response
Terry Edwards
Jeff Waters
Holly Fortune
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
N/A
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Initial and Final POLREP
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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