1.1.1 Incident Category

CERCLA Emergency Response - Active Facility

1.1.2 Site Description

Talenti Gelato (the Site) is a frozen gelato manufacturing facility located in an industrial park in the metropolitan Atlanta area. The Site consists of a multiple manufacturing buildings. The release occurred in a mechanical building not attached to the main manufacturing building. The average quantity of anhydrous ammonia stored on-site in tanks is 33,000 pounds. Up to 170 employees work at the facility. There are multiple operating business adjacent to the Site.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located at 1058 King Industrial Drive, Marietta, Georgia, 30062. The geographical coordinates are 33.9772700, -84.5389270.

 1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

An unknown amount of anhydrous ammonia was release from a process vessel. Local emergency responders evacuated the Site and the adjacent businesses.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

An unknown amount of liquid anhydrous ammonia was released into a mechanical building, was vaporizing and migrating off-site. Fire Department Personnel reported that concentrations in the release area exceeded 1000 ppm. The Immediately Dangerous the Life and Health (IDLH) concentration for the material is 300 ppm. Fire Department Personnel also reported that concentrations greater than 30 ppm was found inside off-site buildings located at 900 Industrial Park Drive. The Acute Exposure Guideline Level (AEGL) for Ammonia above which it is predicted that the general population, including susceptible individuals, could experience notable discomfort, irritation, or certain asymptomatic non-sensory effects is 30 ppm. Anhydrous Ammonia was released to the environment and threatened human heath. It is toxic and corrosive by both inhalation and contact. Anhydrous ammonia is CERCLA Hazardous Substance and a DOT hazardous material.

 2.1.1 Narrative

EPA mobilized On-Scene Coordinators and Emergency Response Contractors to the scene. The following actions occurred during this reporting period. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

FOSC Eichinger arrived at approximately 1750 hours and integrated into Unified Command. The Plant and adjacent businesses were evacuated by local emergency responders. Fire department personnel and Talenti's emergency response contractor made multiple entries into the mechanical building to assure that the release had been secured and to absorb the liquid anhydrous ammonia with an inert absorbent. EPA began air monitoring for ammonia gas using a MultiRAE Pro equipped with an ammonia sensor. Ammonia readings in the breathable zone in the immediate vicinity of the release ranged from 2 parts per million (ppm) to 8 ppm. Readings around the perimeter of the Talenti building and other adjacent properties ranged from 0 ppm to 3 ppm. By approximately 22:15, Talenti Gelato’s environmental consultant had drummed the remaining absorbed ammonia. The absorbed ammonia was placed in 55-gallon polyethylene drums and will be sent off-site by Talanti for appropriate disposal. Due to venting of the mechanical room, ammonia was detected outside of the spill area.  Concentrations by the fan were about 3 ppm. No ammonia concentrations were detected at the fence line for the site. EPA demobilized from the site at approximately 2300 hours.

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

The PRP for the release is Talenti Gelato. The Facility Director is:

• Mr. Bryan Dunham
• 1058 King Industrial Drive
• Marietta, GA 30062
• 573-450-3850

2.5.1 Safety Officer
EPA and Marietta Fire Department

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

Provided by Marietta Fire Department 

2.5.3 Information Officer

Provided by Marietta Fire Department

3.1 Unified Command

 An incident command structure was established for the Marietta Fire Department. EPA assisted within this Unified Command Structure.

The following EPA personnel were on-site at various times throughout this reporting period:

1. Kevin Eichinger, FOSC
2. Chris Jones, START
3. Carter Williamson, START

The Marietta Fire Department tracked all other emergency response on-scene at the incident.

Abbreviations and acronyms are spelled out within the text of the Pollution Report. Definitions will be added to this section as necessary.

• ATSDR - Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry
• EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
• FOSC - Federal On-Scene Coordinator
• DOT - Department of Transportation
• 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
• TCLP - Toxicity Characteristic Leaking Procedure
• RCRA - Resource Conservation and Reclamation Act
• OPA - Oil Pollution Act
• CWA - Clean Water Act
• ERRS - Emergency and Rapid Response Services
• START - Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
• TBD - To Be Determined

 6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

Documents, photographs, maps and other important/pertinent information can be found at https://www.epaosc.org/talentiammonia.

6.2 Reporting Schedule

No additional Pollution Reports are planned at this time.