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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: |
2/23/2015 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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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: |
2/18/2015 |
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Start Date: |
2/18/2015 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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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
Emergency Response to an uncontrolled release of Mercury in multiple locations.
1.1.2 Site Description
See POLREP #1 for Site description.
1.1.2.1 Location
See POLREP #1 for location information
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
See POLREP #1 for desscription of threat.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
See POLREP #1 for information
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
02/22/2015
The OSC contacted the owner of the residence located on Apache trail (source house), on Sunday morning to discuss the mercury spill that was reported in her home. The OSC explained the dangers of Mercury contamination in a home. Property owner agreed to have EPA come and test the air inside the residence. The OSC and START mobilized to the residence and observed visible beads on the road in front of the house, in the driveway leading to the residence and in the residences yard. The air was sampled at the front entrance doorway with readings exceeding the mercury vapor analyzers detection limit. Mercury vapors concentrations exceeded 1 mg/m3 (the maximum detection limit of the Jerome), which is 1,000 times EPA's action level for mercury in a residence. OSC Ball explained this to the property owners and worked with them to achieve temporary relocation. They stated they would stay with a relative for the duration of the cleanup at their residence. The property owners also granted written access for EPA to perform a clean-up after stating that they would not be able to perform the cleanup themselves. ERRS was mobilized that night to begin recovery of visible beads outside the residence.
02/23/2015
Clean-up operations outside the home continued. ERRS focused on removal of beads from the road and worked their way towards the house. Several methods were used including a mercury vacuum, wet/dry vacuums, syringes, and manual excavation when necessary. Approximately 6 pounds of mercury have been recovered from the roadway and drainage ditch area thus far. Visible microbeads still exist on the road and driveway. Additional beads have been uncovered under the residences' deck.
CICs mobilized to the scene to assist with voluntary screening of the surrounding residences in the neighborhood. No mercury vapors were detected in any of the adjacent residences. CIC operations are ongoing.
02/24/2015
On Tuesday about an inch of snow blanketed the work area at Apache Trail. Crews worked to melt the snow on the road and driveway to apply DeconGel. DeconGel is a technology used primarily in remediation of radiation contamination, but has been successfully utilized to remove mercury contamination from tile, grout, and concrete surfaces.The technology was selected as the best alternative to remove micro beads of mercury from the pits and divots of the asphalt road and concrete driveway. The mercury vacuum had little success in removal of these micro beads. Winter weather conditions including snow and low temperatures hindered site operations throughout the day.
CICs continued to conduct voluntary screening of surrounding residences. Thus far no mercury vapors have been detected in any of the surrounding neighbor's homes. Most neighbors were contacted. An informational brochure will be mailed to remaining residents. A complete list of homes visited and the results will be available in the documents section of this webpage.
At the owners request OSC Ball and START mobilized to the Smith's residence to perform air screening for mercury vapors. Mr. Smith indicated that he had performed his own clean-up. He had removed almost all of the carpet in the house, the washer and 3 boxes of towels and clothing that mostly belonged to his son. He also indicated that some clothes had already been disposed of in a dumpster. Mercury vapors concentrations in Mr. Smith's residence averaged approximately 1,000 ng/m3. The removed carpet and 3 boxes of garments tested from 25,000ng/m3 to >50,000 ng/m3. The OSC recommended removing the remaining carpet from the one room where slightly elevated mercury vapors were detected and to continue to heat and vent the residence for a week. The OSC also stated that all of the carpet and the 3 boxes of garments should be disposed of after being bagged. Mr. Smith agreed to perform the recommended actions. He will continue to coordinate with OSC Ball.
OSC Ball contacted Mr. Mortus and arranged for testing for mercury vapors in his residence. .
02/25/2015
Operations at Apache Trail were suspended on Wednesday due to inclement weather.
The OSC and START mobilized to residence located at 510 Cove Rd. and conducted air monitoring for mercury vapor in the residence. Mercury vapors concentrations ranged from 20,000 ng/m3 to a high of 40,000 ng/m3 in one room. The OSC explained EPA's action levels to the residents and recommended temporary relocation based on the detection of elevated mercury vapors in the air. The resident agreed that EPA should do a clean-up at the house and that he would relocate his family in the next day or two. The family does not own the residence but would notify the rental company of the situation. OSC Ball is coordinating access for the clean-up.
02/26/2015
Operations at Apache Trail were suspended on Thursday due to inclement weather.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
See above section for response actions taken to date.
-2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Mercury waste |
solid |
1 rolloff |
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Landfill |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Continue clean-up actions at contaminated homes
Continue CIC coordination with community
Continue to coordinate access at additional properties
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Gain access, assess, and if necesary remediate mercury contaminated properties.
Continue Mercury recovery activities
Continue cleanup actions in the contaminated residences
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
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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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA
GA EPD
GA Dept of Public Health
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Cherokee County Schools
American Red Cross
ATSDR
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4. Personnel On Site
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OSC - 1
START - 2
ERRS - 6
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5. Definition of Terms
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ATSDR - Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry
EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
OSC - On- Scene Coordinator
GA EPD - Georgia Environmental Protection Division
NCP - National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
NRC - National Response Center
CFR - Code of Federal Regulations
RP - Responsible Party
NOFI - Notice of Federal Interest
EMA - Emergency Management Agency
ERRS - Emergency Rapid Response Service
CERCLA - Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
FPN - Federal Project Number
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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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