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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
10ND |
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Contract Number: |
EP-07-13-07 |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
4/3/2014 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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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: |
4/7/2014 |
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Start Date: |
4/7/2014 |
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Demob Date: |
4/11/2014 |
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Completion Date: |
4/11/2014 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
WAN00101159 |
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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
1.1.2 Site Description
On March 25, 2014, the EPA received information from King County Hazardous Waste Program regarding the improper storage of chemicals within a residential neighborhood in the City of Seattle. Photographs taken by or in cooperation with members of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) and King County Hazardous Waste Program (King Co.) were provided to EPA. The photographs depict a number of containers with a variety of hazardous on the Property. Based on the labels in these photographs, the chemicals on the Property appear to include elements or compounds of arsenic, benzidine, cadmium, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrite, carbon tetrachloride, and vanadium pentoxide.
For a full site description see POLREP 1 (Initial POLREP)
1.1.2.1 Location
The residence is located within the City of Seattle, Green Lake neighborhood. The Green Lake neighborhood is a high density residential area. Adjacent neighboring homes are characterized by narrow lot lines. The residence is also located less than .25 miles from the 1-5 corridor.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Numerous chemical containers are present on the property and within the basement of the residence. The amount of containers and debris makes accessing these areas difficult. Many of the chemicals on site are specifically listed as a hazardous substance subject to CERCLA. 40 C.F.R. Table 302.4. The EPA determined that the improperly stored chemicals and other hazardous substances pose an actual or potential threat of release to the environment. Many of the chemicals are old and expired, with negative value. Many chemicals are not properly stored and incompatible chemicals are stored adjacent to each other.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
There have been no known government or private cleanup actions undertaken at the Site to date.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
The EPA will direct its contractor to continue to characterize the chemicals and containers at the Site for disposal purposes.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
See Initial POLREP.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
The following table indicates the amount of chemicals processed by date:
| Date |
HazCat Completed |
Inventory Completed |
| 4/7/2014 |
78 |
169 |
| 4/8/2014 |
174 |
359 |
| 4/9/2014 |
141 |
424 |
| 4/10/2014 |
284 |
847 |
| TOTAL |
677 |
1799 |
The following table displays the containers that have been prepared for off-site transportation and disposal:
| Date |
Overpacks Drums Shipped |
Overpack Drums In Progress |
Cubic Yard Box Shipped |
| 4/7/2014 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
| 4/8/2014 |
12 |
26 |
6 |
| 4/9/2014 |
10 |
18 |
3 |
| 4/10/2014 |
19 |
27 |
8 |
| TOTAL |
41 |
88 |
17 |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Segregation of chemicals from the interior of the house on the main floor living space and in the attic and the garage.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Segregation of chemicals from the interior of the house on the main floor living space and in the attic and the garage preparation for off-site disposal and transportation.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Continue to segregate chemicals outside of the home.
2.2.2 Issues
Hazard Characterization Issues:
- Due to the plethora of unlabeled containers, additional START personnel were required to conduct field hazard categorization of unknown chemicals.
- The types of containers used for chemical storage present unique problems: the containers are re-purposed food containers such as yogurt containers, juice bottles, etc. Many of the containers are poorly or not marked. Some of the containers have rusted lids. Because of the poor quality of the container, some containers and/or lids are breaking after arrival at the field hazard categorization station.
- Field characterization is focused on determining DOT classifications in support of off-site transportation and disposal.
- Due to the high number of unknown chemicals being processed, regional supplies are quickly being diminished and there is a need to expedite the acquisition of the replacement materials to continue the field hazard categorization at the current staffing level.
- Two personnel from the Washington Department of Ecology - Spill Response Program were on site today to assist with the hazard categorization process. Their contribution contributed greatly to the greater number of samples processed today.
Removal and Staging Issues
- Because access to the basement was limited, a team of at least 3 people were required to remove chemicals stored in the basement (1-2 personnel were running chemicals from the entrance to the preliminary sorting area, 1 identifying containers, and 1 safety buddy).
- There is a large extent of debris removal that is required in order to access the chemicals inside the basement.
- Chemical containers and cylinders are visible through the back window of the van and still require assessment and removal.
- Uranyl Nitrate (a radioactive chemical) was encountered in the basement of the house. A SAM-940 instrument was used to further characterize the material which indicated the material is mostly U-238 with some Am-241,
K-40 and its dose rate is 47.4 urem/hr. This material requires additional steps for off-site transportation and disposal.
- The addition of two personnel in the chemical inventory staging area to read labels to the data entry personnel allowed for almost double the number of chemical containers to be prepared for off-site transportation and shipment.
Miscellaneous Issues:
- For chemicals containers with hand written labels, there is a triage process. Labels indicating a single compound are sent to inventory. Labels with unclear markings or indicating a chemical mixture are field characterized.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Collection and segregation of chemicals from the basement of the house. Continuation of field hazard categorization of unknown chemicals from the house and the basement. For additional details see the Initial POLREP.
No entry into the van is being conducted at this time.
Incoming US Postal Service delivery was accepted by the EPA OSC and delivered to the homeowner.
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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
Safety at the site is being coordinated by the Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractors under a unified Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan. A Health and Safety meeting was conducted by ERRS and attended by EPA personnel, Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) personnel, Global Diving Personnel, and Philips personnel.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
One EPA Community Involvement Coordinator (CIC) is present at the site. Fact sheets were distributed today to houses in the neighborhood.
2.5.3 Information Officer
One EPA Public Information Officer (PIO) is at the site to coordinate media relations and neighbors.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Cooperating Agencies
1 King County Hazardous Waste Program personnel
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4. Personnel On Site
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1 - EPA PIO
1 - EPA CIC
2 - EPA
On-Scene Coordinators
1 - EPA
Attorney
1 - Emergency
Response Unit Manager
1 - Environmental
Cleanup Unit Office Director
1 - EPA Liasion
(Relocation Support)
2- Washington Department of Ecology
8 - START
contractors
4 - ERRS
contractors
4 - Philips
Services personnel (a subcontractor to ERRS)
2 - Global
Diving (a subcontractor to ERRS)
1 - Social Worker
(a subcontractor to ERRS)
Other Agencies and
personnel who were on site today included:
1 - City of Seattle
Hazardous Waste Program Personnel
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5. Definition of Terms
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START - Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
ERRS - Emergency and Rapid Response Services
CIC - Community Involvement Coordinator
PIO - Public Information Officer
SFD - Seattle Fire Department
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
Documents and additional information on the site can be found at the following location:
www.epaosc.org/GreenLKChemHouse
6.2 Reporting Schedule
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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