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Thompson Chemicals

All POL/SITREP's for this site Thompson Chemicals
St Louis, MO - EPA Region VII
POLREP #2
Final POLREP
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Thompson Chemicals - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VII

Subject: POLREP #2
Final POLREP
Thompson Chemicals
07R8
St Louis, MO
Latitude: 38.6146290 Longitude: -90.1884260


To:
From: Michael Davis, Federal On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2014
Reporting Period: 10/25/2013 - 03/10/2014

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: 07R8    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date: 4/17/2013
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: PRP Oversight
Response Lead: PRP    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit: OU00
Mobilization Date: 8/26/2013    Start Date: 8/26/2013
Demob Date: 11/14/2013    Completion Date: 2/28/2014
CERCLIS ID: MOD079910600    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

This was a PRP-lead time-critical removal action at the Thompson Chemicals site (Site). The Site is an active solvent transfer facility located at 60 Chouteau Avenue in St Louis, Missouri. Investigations conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined that a variety of hazardous substances as defined by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) are present at the Site and subject to this removal action. As detailed below, the objective of this removal action was to protect public health and the environment by responding to the threat of release of hazardous substances into the environment.

1.1.2 Site Description

The Site is contaminated with dioxins including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Past removal activities at the site, namely the excavation of a former underground storage tank, pumping lines, and surrounding soils, resulted in the on-site storage of 12 roll-off boxes which contained an estimated 250 cubic yards of soils and debris; 238 55-gallon drums of investigation-derived waste (IDW); and a soil berm associated with a former aboveground storage tank (AST) farm likely contaminated with the aforementioned hazardous substances.

An Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA) was completed by a group of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) leading to approval of the 2006 Action Memorandum. The removal activities prescribed for the Site in the 2006 Action Memorandum consisted of: (1) removal and off-site disposal of contaminated soil and debris currently stored on site in 12 20-cubic yard roll-off boxes; (2) removal and off-site disposal of dioxin contaminated soils; (3) capping of portions of the site; (4) implementation of institutional controls; and (5) groundwater monitoring for a period of two years.

This Action was conducted by the PRPs and addressed only the removal and off-site disposal of the 12 roll-off boxes and contents, the 238 IDW-filled drums, and off-site disposal of berm area soils.

1.1.2.1 Location

The property is located in Section 26, Township 45N, Range 7E. The approximate geographic coordinates are 38° 36' 50" north latitude and 90° 11 '20" west longitude. The Site is located 300 feet west of the Mississippi River at 60 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri. The Site is approximately 2.5 acres, bounded by Chouteau Avenue on the north, Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard on the east, Convent Street on the south, and the Missouri
Pacific Railroad line on the west. The area is an industrial area, and no residents are adjacent to the Site or in the immediate vicinity. The Metropolitan Sewer District's Mill Creek facility is directly across the street to the east of the Site.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

As part of the EE/CA, a streamlined risk evaluation was conducted which evaluated all reasonably anticipated potential exposure pathways to contaminants of concern at the Site, and concluded that the magnitude and extent of contamination represented an unacceptable risk warranting a removal action.  Based on analytical data from the December 8, 2011 Waste Disposal Profiling Investigation Report, the material in the roll-off boxes contains hazardous substances including dioxins and a number of semi-volatile PAHs at concentrations greater than appropriate risk-based standards. Total dioxin and furan concentrations ranged from 10.3 to 108.4 µg/kg toxic equivalents (TEQs) in the roll-off boxes and 0.003 to 78.1 µg/kg in the IDW drums. Total dioxin concentrations ranged from 23.4 to 541 µg/kg TEQs in the berm soil. None of the chemicals of concern were detected at concentrations exceeding the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) criteria promulgated in 40 CFR § 261.24. Due to the passage of time, the condition of the roll-off boxes had deteriorated and could have potentially jeopardized the ability to secure the contents. If released into the environment, the contaminated waste materials might have migrated via airborne dusts, surface runoff to nearby storm water conduits and surface water, and via worker activity transporting soils/dusts onto otherwise unimpacted areas of the Site, vehicles, facility buildings and residences.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

There have been a number of previous investigations at the Site. See the original Action Memorandum for the Site, available on the project website at http://www.epaosc.org/ThompsonChemicals, for a description of the previous investigations and a summary of the pertinent findings. On December 8, 2011, additional investigations were performed to determine whether the waste materials contained in the 12 roll-off containers and 238 drums were characteristically hazardous. None of the chemicals of concern were detected at concentrations exceeding the TCLP criteria promulgated in 40 CFR § 261.24. A December 8, 2011, Waste Disposal Profiling Investigation Report documenting the sampling activities and methods, analytical results, and findings and conclusions was submitted to the EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). The EPA reviewed the Waste Disposal Profiling Investigation Report in conjunction with MDNR and issued a joint approval letter to the Respondents dated January 10, 2012.

In September 2012, sampling investigations were performed to determine whether the berm soil was characteristically hazardous. None of the chemicals of concern were detected at concentrations exceeding the TCLP criteria promulgated in 40 CFR § 261.24. A November 27, 2012, Berm Soil Waste Profiling Investigation Report documenting the sampling activities and methods, analytical results, and findings and conclusions was submitted to the EPA and MDNR. The EPA reviewed the Report in conjunction with MDNR and issued an approval letter to the Respondents dated December 17, 2012. 

2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

The EPA entered into a July 23, 2013 Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (AOC), CERCLA-07-2012-0051, with Thompson Chemicals Respondents (PRPs) and approved a Time-Critical Removal Action Work Plan (Work Plan), dated April 2013, incorporated into the AOC by reference.  The Work Plan outlined the actions to meet the removal objectives outlined in this POLREP and the April 17, 2013, Action Memorandum issued by the EPA.  The Work Plan, the Action Memorandum, and related documentation pertinent to the administrative record for this Site may be viewed on the project website at http://www.epaosc.org/ThompsonChemicals.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Response actions included removal and off-site disposal of 265 tons of material from the 12 roll-off boxes, 255 55-gallon drums drums (238 initial drums, plus 17 drums of IDW from this removal), and 2,120 tons of soil and debris from the berm area.  The twelve emptied 20 cubic yard roll-off boxes were also transported for off-site disposal.  Following removal activities, the berm area was restored to grade and leveled with gravel and covered with asphalt.  The PRPs submitted a final report dated January 2014, which fully and accurately summarized all the response actions taken by the PRPs to comply with the terms of the July 23, 2013 AOC.  The EPA approved the final report, in coordination with MDNR, in a letter dated February 28, 2014.  The removal is complete.

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

The PRPs comprising the Thompson Chemicals Respondents entered into an AOC, CERCLA-07-2012-0051, dated July 23, 2013.  The PRPs conducted this removal work in accordance with the terms of the AOC.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

The following tables summarize materials removed from the Site for off-site disposal.

Berm/Berm Center Soil & Debris Inventory
Total Rolloffs Contents Texas Waste Code Manifest Tracking # Net Weight (tons) Disposal Facility Comments
105 Soil & Debris OUTS3191 Multiple 2,121.01 US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX Concrete wall, berm sections, and berm center  area
Original On-Site 20 CY Rolloffs & Contents (Contents Transferred for T&D)
 Total Rolloffs Contents Texas Waste Code Manifest Tracking # Net Weight
(ton)
Disposal Facility Comments
12 Empty N/A Multiple UNKN US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX 12 Empty Corroded Rolloffs (contents transferred for T&D)
19 Soil/Debris OUTS3191 Multiple 264.91 US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX Transferred Contents from Rolloffs # 1-12
55-Gal Drum Inventory
Number Contents Texas Waste Code Manifest Tracking # Net Weight Disposal Facility  Comments
Midwest Truck # 150 (Trailer VIN# 1DW1A53214S657602)
10 Drums OUTS3191 012112403 JJK UNKN US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX Soil
5 Drums OUTS1191 012112403 JJK UNKN US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX Oily - Water
128 Drums OUTS3191 012112403 JJK UNKN US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX Debris
Midwest Truck # 152 (Trailer VIN# 1UYVS2535YP165903)
1 Drums OUTS3191 012112419 JJK UNKN US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX Soil
1 Drums OUTS1191 012112419 JJK UNKN US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX Oily - Water
110 Drums OUTS3191 012112419 JJK UNKN US Ecology HWLF, Robstown, TX Debris


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

This removal action is complete and no additional response activities are planned.  The remaining removal actions called for in the 2006 Action Memorandum will be conducted as separate actions.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

N/A

2.2.2 Issues

No significant issues arose during this response action.

  2.3 Logistics Section
   

The scope of this response did not warrant a structured incident management team (IMT), and there was no Logistics Section Chief or separate logistics section.

  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.

  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer

The PRPs and their primary contractors (SLR, Inc., and Environmental Restoration) were responsible for site safety.  Removal activities were conducted in accordance with a consolidated Site Health and Safety Plan, and daily health and safety briefings were attended by all on-site workers.  No safety incidents were reported.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

The scope of this response did not warrant a structured IMT, and there was no Liaison Officer assigned.

2.5.3 Information Officer

Belinda Young was the EPA Public Information Officer (PIO) assigned to this project. A public information
fact sheet was developed by the PIO and distributed as follows:

(1)  E-mailed to federal elected officials
(2)  E-mailed to state elected officials 
(3)  E-mailed to local elected officials
(4)  Hand delivered to nearby businesses and residents
(5)  Posted on the EPA Region 7 website

An Administrative Record was made available for public review at the EPA Region 7 Records Center and the St. Louis Public Library. 

3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command

The limited scope of this removal action did not warrant a Unified Command.

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Multiple programs within the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) provided substantive and integral assistance in the planning of this removal action.  The St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District also assisted in locating and deenergizing pumping wells located along the main sewer trunk which underlies the Site.

4. Personnel On Site
 
The PRPs engaged multiple contractors in the implementation of this removal.  As this removal was conducted at an active solvent transfer facility, facility workers were also present on Site.

5. Definition of Terms
 
N/A

6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

http://www.epaosc.org/ThompsonChemicals

6.2 Reporting Schedule

This is a Final POLREP.  No additional reporting is anticipated.

7. Situational Reference Materials
 
N/A