1.1.1 Incident Category

Time critical removal action.

1.1.2 Site Description

 The site consists of a former high school building located at 8181 Greenfield, Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan 48228 and surrounding property; Latitude: 42.353201 ° N, Longitude: -83.196917 ° W.

The immediate area is mixed industrial and commercial, with residential areas adjacent to the school as well.

1.1.2.1 Location

 See above.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

 Over 600 small containers of laboratory grade chemicals were abandoned in the building, most likely when the school ceased operation. These chemicals were found to be of various types including many labeled as poison. Also identified were wastes that were characteristically hazardous for corrosivity and ignitability and/or potentially reactive. Although EPA secured the building, trespassers have since broken in again and set at least one fire inside the building.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

EPA utilized ERRS to secure the property on August 9, 2014. On November 7, 2014, DFD request cleanup assistance from EPA as they could not get the owner to conduct the actions and DFD does not have the means to conduct the cleanup.

The response action taken temporarily mitigated threats by conducting site board up. Due to a lack of clear ownership, EPA has used enforcement procedures to contact property owners and secure access to further assess and clean up the site. 

2.1.1 Narrative

After a large degree of negotiation and tracking down potential responsible parties, EPA finally obtained signed access from the listed current owner.  EPA used this access to initiate a removal action as no viable assets were discovered to date that could fund the cleanup.

 EPA determined that the chemicals continued to pose a threat of release and although protective measures such as board up had been taken, trespassing and vandalism continue to occur on site.  Removal of these chemicals, via lab-packing and off site disposition, is warranted.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

On July 13, 2015, EPA mobilized contractors to site to initiate the cleanup.

On July 14, 2015, the crew cleared debris from the walkways in the building near the chemical laboratory area and began segregating those chemicals that still had labels into their hazard groups.

On July 15, 2015, the crew continued to segregate chemicals by waste stream and inventory the containers. Bulking of solids commenced.  The on-site chemist began grouping chemicals that could be bulked and repackaged for off site disposal. One partially filled 55-gallon drum of suspected resin was discovered in the back of the school building. Sample jars were ordered for the laboratory composite samples.

On July 16, 2015, the crew continued bulking solids and initiated consolidation activities of the other waste-streams.  The chemist is conducting hazard categorization on unknowns which will either be bulked in one of the existing waste groups or lab-packed as is for off site disposal. A small vial of Bromine ruptured when the crew was moving it from a shelf to a segregation area. The small vial was removed to the back of the school and away from the other chemicals as it off gassed.  All workers were wearing full personal protection equipment and no adverse exposures occurred.

On July 17, 2015, lab packing and inventory of chemicals continued. Bulking operations also continued. Samples were sent off site for analysis for disposal.  Some additional items remain to be lab-packed.

No on site activity from 7/18-19-2015.

On July 20, 2015, the crew resumed lab packing activities.

On July 21, the remaining chemicals were lab packed for off site disposal.  Disposal approval has not yet been obtained, but all chemicals have been over-packed and stabilized. The crew demobilized from site.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Ongoing.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Disposal.  EPA is still awaiting approval notification from the ERRS contractor to finish this project.  The profiles that were originally approved on 08/19/2015 were later rejected by the disposal company as they wanted a change to the packaging of several compounds.

This repacking and disposal will occur when ERRS completes the process.  EPA has signed the additional waste profiles and is awaiting the approval from the disposal facility.  As of 09/23/2015, the OSC is still awaiting confirmation of disposal approval

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Re-package several waste chemicals per the disposal facility requirements and then complete transportation and disposal.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Establish return date to complete work.

2.2.2 Issues

Disposal needs to occur.  The OSC has informed the ERRS contractor that the site needs to be completed in a timely manner.

* The above accounting of expenditures is an estimate based on figures known to the OSC at the time this report was written. The OSC does not necessarily receive specific figures on final payments made to any contractor(s). Other financial data which the OSC must rely upon may not be entirely up-to-date. The cost accounting provided in this report does not necessarily represent an exact monetary figure which the government may include in any claim for cost recovery.

2.5.1 Safety Officer
OSC
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
OSC
2.5.3 Information Officer

OSC

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Detroit Fire Department

4 ERRS

1 OSC

ERRS  = Emergency and Rapid Response Service contractor

EPA = Environmental Protection Agency

OSC  = On Scene Coordinator

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

NA

6.2 Reporting Schedule