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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: |
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Completion Date: |
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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 contractors to continue to characterize the chemicals and containers at the Site for disposal purposes.
Additional chemicals were discovered in the basement during a walk through. The chemicals were removed from the basement (approximately 40 containers).
The van was opened and 19 chemical containers and 1 methylacetylene-propadiene (UN1060) cylinder (approximately 100 pound capacity, cylinder manufactured October 1969) were unloaded and inventoried for off-site transport and disposal. Some of the chemicals from the van included shipping labels which indicated a shipping date from 2000.
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 |
167 |
| 4/8/2014 |
170 |
359 |
| 4/9/2014 |
137 |
424 |
| 4/10/2014 |
284 |
847 |
| 4/11/2014 |
221 |
388 |
| 4/12/2014 |
301 |
485 |
| 4/13/2014 |
387 |
177 |
| 4/14/2014 |
371 |
801 |
| TOTAL |
1949 |
3648 |
* The Inventory Completed total includes the containers processed through HazCat.
The following table displays the containers that have been prepared for off-site transportation and disposal:
| Date |
Overpack 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 |
| 4/11/2014 |
18 |
35 |
6 |
| 4/12/2014 |
0* |
37 |
0 |
| 4/13/2014 |
17 |
20 |
6 |
| 4/14/2014 |
9 |
39 |
5 |
| TOTAL |
85 |
219 |
34 |
| * |
No shipment on 4/12/14. 10 Drums prepared for shipment. |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Continued field characterization of unknown chemicals from the basement and out side of the house. Continued inventory of chemicals (both known and those that have been field categorized) for off-site transportation and disposal.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Inventory the chemicals in the van. Field characterization of unknown chemicals on the property. Inventory chemicals that have been field characterized for off-site transportation and disposal.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Continue to field categorize unkown chemicals. Continue to inventory chemicals for off-site transportation and disposal.
2.2.2 Issues
Hazard Characterization and Chemical Issues:
- An unknown chemical arrived at the field categorization station. The chemical was determined, through field categorization to be sulfur chloride oxide. The container was off-gassing hydrogen sulfide (poisonous, corrosive, flammable and explosive). The chemical was neutralized with base materials to stabilize it at a pH of 10. The material was then over-packed and moved to the transportation and disposal stage. START donned Level B personal protective equipment to neutralize the chemical.
- A Civil Support Team (CST) member conducting hazard categorization received a solid unknown chemical with crystalization around the outside of the lid. The chemical appeared to be a peroxide, which can be shock-sensitive. The container was segregated and Seattle Bomb Squad was contacted. After further investigation and tests utilizing Seattle Bomb Squad and START equipment, it was deemed to not be a shock-sensitive peroxide but a non-reactive pH 12 oxidizer.
Removal and Staging Issues
- After rearranging the basement debris in preparation for final clearance additional chemicals containers were discovered. The containers were removed from the basement (approximately 40 containers).
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2.3 Logistics Section
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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
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Cooperating Agencies
Civil Support Team
Seattle Bomb Squad
Washington State Department of Ecology
On Monday April 14 OSC Rodin contacted the Seattle Fire Department to offer the opportunity for a site vist and allow SFD to document site conditions. The address has previously been listed by SFD as a dangerous building due to the chemical hazards.
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4. Personnel On Site
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Sunday (4/13/14)
2 - EPA OSCs
1 - EPA CIC
1 - EPA Attorney
6- START
6 - CST
2 - ERRS
5 - Philips (an ERRS subcontractor)
Monday (4/14/14)
2 - EPA OSCs
1 - EPA CIC
8 - START
7 - CST
1 - Washington State Department of Ecology
3 - ERRS
5 - Philips (an ERRS subcontractor)
A total of 1,577 hours have been spent on-site since the mobilization on 4/7/12. These hours do not include EPA Regional Council, CICs, PIOs, other agencies that have been on-site. It does not include hours spent by EPA contractors off-site.
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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
CST - Civil Support Team
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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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