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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: |
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: |
6/9/2009 |
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Start Date: |
6/9/2009 |
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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: |
DENR Water Quality |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
EPA received a NRC Report (#908051) notifying us of a release of ammonia, 38,000 lbs., to the atmosphere and a emergency retention pond due to an explosion. The explosion occurred at approximately 10:30 am. Several Injuries have been reported as well as 2 fatalities and 1 person remains unaccounted for.
US EPA and NC DENR Air Quality responded to assist Raleigh Haz-Mat with air monitoring. Raleigh Haz-Mat requested that EPA and DENR Air Quality conduct air monitoring in nearby neighborhood downwind from the facility. Primary contaminant of concern is ammonia vapor. Raleigh Haz-Mat conducted air monitoring on site.
1.1.2 Site Description
The explosion occurred at a ConAgra Foods Production/Packaging Plant. There is a couple of neighborhoods in close proximity to the plant. The plant has a storm water conveyance system that discharges to a unnamed tributary which leads to Big Branch Creek, Big Branch flows to Walnut Creek, Walnut Creek is a tributary to the Neuse River.
1.1.2.1 Location
The plant is located at 4851 Jones Sausage Rd, Garner, Wake County, NC.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Two primary concerns are ammonia vapor migrating off-site and impacting residential neighborhoods and off-site migration via storm water discharge to Big Branch Creek both impacting aquatic life and potentially a public drinking water intake located downstream (Smithfield, NC).
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
As EPA arrived on site, EPA was briefed that the remaining ammonia in the tanks was being discharged to a emergency retention pond on-site per the emergency response plan. ConAgra has three retention ponds that could be used for containment/storage capacity, a total storage capacity of 500,000 gallons. Two retention ponds were currently being utilized. ConAgra was working with the City of Raleigh to be allowed to discharge the ammonia/water in the emergency retention ponds to the City of Raleigh Waste Water Treatment Plant.
EPA began conducting air monitoring in closest neighborhood downwind. Highest reading observed was approximately 20 ppm ammonia at the street just off of the faciity property downwind.
Heavy storms passed thru the area, EPA and Raleigh Haz-Mat discovered a release of ammonia at the stormwater outfall in the unnamed tributary to Big Branch Creek. Ammonia vapor concentrations in the air at the ditch were over 150 ppm. A earthen dam was constructed, the stormwater discharge will be pumped to the retention ponds. It is not known how much ammonia was released or how much impacted Big Branch Creek. EPA and Raleigh Haz-Mat requested a sampling analysis plan be submitted for review and approval from ConAgra. Samples were collected from the outfall. EPA, Raleigh Haz-Mat and ConAgra will monitor the creek, water samples will be collected and anlayzed as well as air monitoring of residential neighborhood along creek. DENR Water Quality was notified as well as Smithfield public water intake as a precaution.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Search and Rescue Teams continue to work to locate any survivors. The builing is not stable. This is a complex operation that involves both trained search and rescue teams as well as haz-mat team. Air monitoring is occurring in the debris pile by Raleigh Haz-Mat as rescue teams search area.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
At approximately 17:30 EPA was advised by ConAgra that the City of Raleigh Waste Water Treatment Plant approved for them to discharge the emergency retention ponds to the sanitary sewer system at a controlled rate. The City of Raleigh Waste Water Treatment Plant would divert this water to a temporary storage area within their facility for future treatment. EPA will continue to monitor stream impact as well as conduct air monitoring until site is stabilized.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Cause of explosion is unknown at this time. ATF personnel are on site.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Wastestream |
Medium |
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Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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Cont. Water |
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Unknown |
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Raleigh WWTP |
Sanitary Sewer |
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2.2 Planning Section
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No information available at this time.
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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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No information available at this time.
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4. Personnel On Site
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No information available at this time.
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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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