2.1.1 Narrative
ERRS continued clearing debris and staging and overpacking drums in the west building on 5/21/2016. START continued cataloging containers in the west building as they were restaged. A large pool of spilled liquid which appeared to be waste oil and water was found in the back of the west building. Liquids which could be pumped were transferred into an empty tote. Solid material was shoveled from the shallow sump. Due to the oily water spill and quantity of drums, the maneuvering area for restaging drums was significantly reduced and required clearance of the mercury-contaminated area before staging in the west building could continue. Prior to initiation of decontamination efforts in the mercury-contaminated area, crews segregated totes that were found outside in to three groups: 1) contains liquid/solids; 2) empty and appears to be capable of holding liquids; 3) empty and cracked/breached.
The mercury vacuum arrived at approximately midday and OSC Huyser worked with ERRS to begin removal of spilled mercury on the floor, drums, and containers. Mercury sources (sphygmomanometers and thermostats), some of which were un-breached and contained mercury in vials, were segregated and bagged separately. After spilled mercury was removed, the floor was sprayed with epsom salt solution (magnesium sulfate) and scraped and shoveled. Mercury-contaminated debris and dirt was bagged and will be segregated for later disposal. Drums which had been in the mercury-contaminated area were removed and placed outside on pallets over a plastic-lined and bermed area where they were sprayed with epsom salt solution and scrubbed. START cataloged and recorded markings on the drums when they were brought outside. The drums will be allowed to sit outside in the sun for several days to dry and vent and will be covered during rain and overnight.
Cardboard boxes and containers (large tubes designed for florescent lamp tube recycling) were staged on the south side of the building. Some of the boxes or containers are full of florescent lamp tubes but most are empty. These boxes and containers will be evaluated for residual mercury contamination and may be disposed of or left at the Site.
A 5-gallon bucket containing nearly 1/4-inch of mercury in its bottom was discovered in the southeast corner of the west building. The mercury will be transferred to a smaller sealed container and overpacked.
Hazard categorization progressed throughout the day and processed approximately 34 samples. Daily sample processing will likely increase as common waste conditions and groups are recognized.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
- Cleared debris from north building
- Began cleaning sumps in north building
- Began staging drums in north building
- Delineated extent of spilled mercury contamination
- Continued cataloging containers
- Continued sampling containers for hazard categorization
- Began clearing debris from west building
- Began staging drums in west building
- Began removal of wastewater from secondary containment area
- Began mercury removal
- Began decontaminating mercury-contaminated area
- Began removal and decontamination of mercury-contaminated drums
- Began hazard categorization
2.1.2.1 Current Container Count
Location |
Count (=>5 gal) |
Complete? |
North Building |
66 |
Yes |
West Building |
189 |
No |
Tank Farm |
9 |
No |
Outside |
139 |
Yes |
Size |
Count |
Drums (20-75 gal) |
247 |
Totes (220-500 gal) |
115 |
Buckets (5 gal) |
39 |
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The former partner declared that there were no available funds associated with the business to conduct the response and there were no other fund sources to undertake the action. Written access to conduct the response was not granted until May 18.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
Petroleum Contact Water |
Secondary Containment Area |
5025 gal |
1605647-01 |
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Petroleum Contact Water |
Secondary Containment Area |
4735 gal |
1605647-02 |
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