U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Charleston WV Chemical Leak - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
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Subject:
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POLREP #10
Final
Charleston WV Chemical Leak
Charleston, WV
Latitude: 38.3685800 Longitude: -81.6066300
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To:
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Cindy Santiago, USEPA R3
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From:
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Dennis Matlock and Melissa Linden, On-Scene Coordinators
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Date:
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12/16/2014
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Reporting Period:
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3/9/2014-9/30/2015
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Assessment |
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NPL Status: |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
1/9/2014 |
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Start Date: |
1/9/2014 |
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Demob Date: |
3/8/2014 |
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Completion Date: |
9/30/2015 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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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
Tank failure and subsequent chemical release into the Elk River, Etowah, WV.
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1.1.2 Site Description
The Site consists of one breached tank, which is component to the facility, along with the soils beneath the tank, the pathway towards the Elk River, and the affected portion of the Elk River.
1.1.2.1 Location
The incident occurred at the Freedom Industries, located at 1015 Barlow Drive, Charleston, Kanawha County, WV 25311.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
An imminent substantial endangerment to welfare and/or the public caused by a chemical release.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
WVDEP conducted the initial assessment of the scene, in response to an odor complaint to their Air Division. EPA mobilized to the Site and assumed a support role to WVDEP. EPA received reports through WVDEP that the chemical was identified as "Eastman Crude MCHM", which is a mixture of components, predominantly 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol. There is a licorice odor to the compound, which is caused by 4-(methoxymethyl) cyclohexanemethanol. The material was classified as non-toxic. However, analytical testing for this particular compound, did not exist at the time of the release. Since then, WVAWC, assisted by Dupont, has developed a method and continued to sample the processed water at the drinking water plant.
The spill occurred from one of three tanks that contain the MCHM/PPH. The secondary containment around the tanks was inadequate and failed. It was estimated by the RP in a letter dated January 23, 2014, that 10,124 gallons of the chemical were released. However, the volume of the chemical that actually entered the river is uncertain.
The RP utilized facility personnel and initiated the hiring of contractors to place boom along the left descending bank of the Elk River, adjacent to the area of the spill. The RP also hired contractors to conduct land clean-up operations.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
See previous POLREPs for site information and actions conducted from January 9, 2014 through September 30, 2015.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Weekly conference calls were conducted by the RP's representatives and WVDEP. During the conference calls and occasional site visits made by the US EPA OSCs it was documented the removal of the tanks were completed by October 1, 2014.
US EPA Environmental Response Team (ERT) members developed a air sampling and analysis method for MCHM. At the same time US EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) developed a screening level for the air samples to be compared against. For a copy of the air sampling and analysis standard operating procedure (SOP) and the screening level please see the site website under reference documents. The air sampling assistance was requested by WVDEP.
US EPA ERT and contractors set-up a mobile labratory in Charleston, WV to run the analysis of the air samples to be taken. The mobile labratory remained in Charleston, WV from October 7, 2014 to December 5, 2014.
US EPA ERT, contractors and US EPA OSCs conducted a baseline air sampling event October 15, 2014 - October 18, 2014. The event consisted of 6, 12 hour samples being taken at 7 different sample locations around the perimeter of the facility and throughout the surrounding community.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The Responsible Party (RP) is identified as Freedom Industries, and is under orders from WVDEP. There are four orders and one revision to an order. Orders include: a cease and desist order; an order to develop a plan to empty all 14 tanks on Site; an order to remove all material from on-site above ground storage tanks (AST) by March 15, 2014; an order to report all on-site and all information of MCHM/PPH; and an order to begin to dismantle all ASTs on or before March 15, 2014.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Pre-Shipment Quantity in Storage (gallons)
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Quantity Shipped (gallons) |
Quantity Remaining after shipment (gallons)
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Date Shipped
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Disposal |
MCHM/PPH
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liquid |
100,233
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100,233 |
Starting quantity 1/21/2014
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transport off-site |
| MCHM/PPH |
liquid
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100,233 |
10,217 |
90,016 |
2/6/2014 - 2/16/2014
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transport off-site
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| MCHM/PPH |
liquid
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90,016
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5,180
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84,836 |
2/17/2014
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transport off-site
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| MCHM/PPH |
liquid
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84,836
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7,000
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77,836
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2/19/2014
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transfer to permanent storage
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| MCHM/PPH |
liquid
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77,836
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55 |
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No MCHM remains on-site except for one 55-gallon drum that is sealed and required because of litigation |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
EPA will provide support to WVDEP with sampling activities, and other technical support, upon request.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
- Oversight will continue by WVDEP, and EPA will participate in weekly conference calls if requested.
2.2.2 Issues
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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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
Freedom Industries
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
EPA Mark Ferrell
2.5.3 Information Officer
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command/Facility (Freedom Industries)
WVDEP
USEPA
Freedom Industries
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WVDHHR)
National Guard
West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR)
Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO)
West Virginia American WaterWorks Company (WVAWC)
Chemical Safety Board (CSB)
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
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4. Personnel On Site
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WVDEP
Freedom Industries
Arcadis
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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