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Ordnance Products, Incorporated Superfund Site
North East, MD - EPA Region III
POLREP #3
Continue Installation at VI-46 and Begin Preparation and Installation at VI-47

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Ordnance Products, Incorporated Superfund Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #3
Continue Installation at VI-46 and Begin Preparation and Installation at VI-47
Ordnance Products, Incorporated Superfund Site
MDD982364341
North East, MD
Latitude: 39.6311190 Longitude: -75.9214070

To:

From:

Francisco J. Cruz, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

9/25/2012

Reporting Period:

9/5/2012-9/7/2012

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	MDD982364341	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	8/29/2012	Start Date:	6/14/2012
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

CERCLA

1.1.2 Site Description

The Ordnance Products Incorporated Superfund Site (OPI) consists of a 95 acre property located in North East, Maryland. OPI was historically occupied by an ordnance component manufacturing facility from 1960 to 1972. The plant produced, stored, and packaged grenade fuses, detonators, and related devices for the U.S. military. Waste from the manufacturing process was either buried onsite in open pits or discharged to five unlined surface impoundments. After manufacturing work ended in 1972, waste material remained in the surface impoundments or was buried in pits and trenches throughout the site. These wastes included drums of solvents and acids, detonators, and grenade fuses.

The Removal Action being conducted at OPI is occurring at two private residences near the site.

1.1.2.1 Location

The site is located near Mechanics Valley Road in North East, Maryland.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated groundwater from the site is causing hazardous vapors to enter two homes near the site. Both homes exhibit indoor air levels of TCE above 6.3 parts per billion (ppb). Current EPA guidance advises that a Removal Action should be conducted if indoor air levels are above a Hazard Index (HI) of 3. The HI of 3 for TCE is above 6.3 ppb.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

EPA's Remedial Program conducted indoor air sampling events in September 2009. Two homes during the sampling event were shown to have elevated levels of TCE. The highest indoor air level in a home identified as VI-46 was 13 ppb. The highest Indoor air level of TCE in a home identified as VI-47 was 97 ppb. Although the levels were not deemed elevated at the time, when numbers were reevaluated with EPA's 2012 Regional Screening Levels Residential Air Table, the levels do appear to pose a threat to human health.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

On September 5, 2012, ERRS, along with their electrical subcontractor, arrived at VI-46 to install the vapor mitigation fan on the home. The fan was installed to the home and electrical power was connected to ensure 24 hour operation of the fan. The homeowner was instructed to keep the fan on at all times to ensure they are protected from the elevated vapor levels. The homeowner expressed displeasure with both the bracketing system of the exhaust pipe and with the fan, specifically the size and noise generated by the it. The homeowner asked if the fan could be installed indoors, and the OSC informed the homeowner that the fan could not be installed inside. If failure of the system were to occur, the indoor installation would allow vapors to stay inside. The homeowner requested that a smaller fan be installed, and that the bracketing system be corrected. The OSC agreed to the request, and instructed ERRS to develop a new bracketing system and to purchase a smaller fan for the home. The OSC would notify the homeowner when final installation could be completed. Additionally, the OSC spoke with the homeowner of VI-47 to inform him of the plans for the following day. Work would begin to prepare the basement prior to vapor mitigation system installation. The homeowner stated that he would leave the door open during the day to allow EPA, START, and ERRS access to the home.

On September 6, 2012, ERRS began to prepare the basement of VI-47 prior to vapor mitigation installation. Preparation of the basement was needed in order to parge the walls, paint epoxy on the floor, and to cover the crawlspace with a vapor barrier. All of the actions were needed in order to keep vapors from migrating into the basement. ERRS moved items placed against the walls of the basement to the center in order to have access to parge the walls. Additionally, rocks and dirt were removed from the crawlspace in order to have a flat, even surface to install the vapor barrier. In addition to work on VI-47, the OSC spoke with the RPM to discuss how to address the concerns of VI-46's homeowners. It was agreed that the 4" inflow pipe would be kept, and a 3" pipe would be used as an outflow from the fan. The inflow and outflow pipes would be painted in a similar color to the home's siding. New, sturdier brackets would be installed to improve the aethetics and to increase the sturdiness of the pipes. The OSC also identified a smaller fan that could be installed in the home. Once all of the materials have been acquired, ERRS would reinstall the system on VI-46.

On September 7, 2012, ERRS continued to install lathe on the walls prior to parging the walls in VI-47. Once lathe was installed, ERRS began to parge portions of the basement walls. The homeowner of VI-47 left the door open to allow EPA, ERRS, and START access to the home.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Installation of the vapor mitigation system of VI-46 was completed. The basement of VI-47 was being prepared to prevent vapors from migrating into the basement. The OSC was re-evaluating the VI-46 installation and how it could be improved.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

The OSC will coordinate with enforcement staff, as necessary. To date, a viable PRP has not been identified for the site.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

ERRS would continue to work on the basement of VI-47 prior to vapor mitigation installation. Reinstallation of the system at VI-46 would begin once all of the materials were acquired.

2.2.2 Issues

The system at VI-46 needed to be reinstalled due to poor bracket installation and mitigation fan being too large for the home. The installation of the vapor mitigation system at VI-47 could not begin until the basement was properly prepared in order to prevent vapors from migrating into the home.

2.3 Logistics Section