Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Fred Meyer Propylene Glycol Spill
Clackamas, OR - EPA Region X
POLREP #1

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Fred Meyer Propylene Glycol Spill - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region X

Subject:

POLREP #1
Fred Meyer Propylene Glycol Spill

Clackamas, OR
Latitude: 45.4055010 Longitude: -122.5461820

To:

From:

Jeffrey Fowlow, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

8/22/2014

Reporting Period:

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:		Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:		Start Date:
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Commercial distribution warehouse

1.1.2 Site Description
1.1.2.1 Location
The site is located in a suburb or Portland, Oregon in a light industrial area with commercial and residential areas nearby. The Clackamas River is approximately 800 meters south-southeast of the property.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Approximately 120 gallons of propylene glycol was released into a storm drain. The storm drain leads to a small creek, Carli Creek, which eventually flows to the Clackamas River. The product spilled was manufactured by the Dow Corporation (CAS# 57-55-6). The MSDS lists potential health effects including potential eye and upper respiratory tract irritation, but limited risk associated with dermal contact or ingestion of small quantities. Although the MSDS describes the product as having "low toxicity", the MSDS specifically states that the product should not be poured into a storm sewer or a ditch. Other internet resources describe an environmental hazard to aquatic organisms due to high levels of biochemical oxygen demand during degradation in surface waters, essentially consuming the dissolved oxygen that aquatic life requires for survival.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
During maintenance activities on their interior fire suppression system, a contractor was capturing propylene glycol drained from an overhead sprinkler system into 55-gallon drums. As a drum filled up, the contractor took the drum to an outside storm water drain and poured the liquid into the storm sewer. The contractor poured approximately 2.5 drums (~120 gallons) into the sewer before the activity was discovered and stopped. Upon discovery of the release, personnel surveyed the storm sewer outfall in Carli Creek and discovered that the product had flowed to the creek bank and some had released into Carli Creek. Personnel placed absorbent boom and pads down and product and water had begun to pool up behind the boom but continued to release into the creek.

The EPA Phone Duty Officer (PDO) contacted the Fred Meyer Maintenance Manager (point of contact for the cleanup) after receiving the spill report from the National Response Center. After hearing reponse efforts to that point and since the product was pooling in low spots on the creek bank and behind the absorbent boom, the PDO advised that Fred Meyer remove the pooled liquids before they were released into Carli Creek. The Maintenance Manager had contacts with a couple environmental cleanup firms and agreed to obtain their services.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative
The response activities have been undertaken by Fred Meyer personnel and their environmental cleanup contractors under advice from Fred Meyer environmental department personnel and EPA.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Once the release was discovered and secured, Fred Meyer personnel placed boom and absorbent pads on the creek bank and in Carli Creek to capture as much product as possible. After conferring with EPA, Fred Meyer personnel contracted with an environmental firm to clean out the storm sewer line, remove captured product, and remove as much contaminated surface water from the slow moving creek as possible. Responders worked throughout the night and into Friday conducting the following cleanup activities:

Surface water samples were collected from Carli Creek.
The sewer line was flushed with water. The flushed water and product was captured with a vacuum truck.
Water was used to flush the creek bank. A vacuum truck was used to remove flushed water and product.
Contaminated surface water was removed using a vacuum truck.
Absorbent boom and pads were replaced.
Reponders are performing continuous survey of the outfall, creek banks, and Carli Creek to remove any additional product observed.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Fred Meyer Corporation and its subcontractors are PRPs and have conducted cleanup activities.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Responders plan to continue monitoring the outfall and creek until no additional product or solution is observed.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Fred Meyer personnel will collect additonal surface water samples. Environmental staff will provide interpretation of results.

2.2.2 Issues
None.

2.3 Logistics Section