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Karolina Polymers

All POL/SITREP's for this site Karolina Polymers
Hickory, NC - EPA Region IV
POLREP #2
Clean Up Completed - Awaiting Disposal
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Karolina Polymers - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV

Subject: POLREP #2
Clean Up Completed - Awaiting Disposal
Karolina Polymers

Hickory, NC
Latitude: 35.7088260 Longitude: -81.3396530


To:
From: Perry Gaughan, On Scene Coordinator
Date: 2/8/2010
Reporting Period: Jan 27th through Jan 30th

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number:      Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Emergency
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Assessment
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 1/16/2010    Start Date: 1/16/2010
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category
CERCLA - Emergency Assessment and Removal

1.1.2 Site Description
Karolina Polymer is an abandoned polymer manufacturer located in a mixed residential/commercial area of Hickory, North Carolina along an unnamed tributary of the Henry Fork River, a public water supply. The facility is a large two-story building which contains at least three main process and polymer production lines each containing large cooling sumps with various amounts of oil and polymer debris and waste.

1.1.2.1 Location
Karolina Polymer is located at 1508 South Center Street, Hickory, Catawba County NC.
 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
US EPA while responding to a oil spill in Hickory NC was requested by the Hickory Fire Dept to conduct an assessment at the Karolina Polymer facility.  EPA obtained access and conducted a site visit on 1/15/2010. EPA observed several drums with various labels (flammable, caustic, etc.), a potential radioactive source, concrete pits containing oil and various chemicals.The Fire Dept informed EPA that they had responded to the facility when a fire sprinkler system froze and ruptured, flooding the building. The creek in the back of the facility has evidence of previous spills (a oil stain above the waterline). It is believed that the flooding could have caused the pits to overflow and reach a drain leading to the creek as there is oil and chemicals on the floors of the facility. EPA requested START support to collect samples on 1/16/2010.  START arrived and collected 8 samples for analysis. EPA observed approximately 1 pound of mercury in various mercury switches. The facility is not secure, gate is not locked, several areas in the fence that have been cut, and there is evidence of trespassing with the presence of grafiti on the walls.  There is the possibility that a homeless family may be living in the front office as there is a area that appeared to be a sleeping area, EPA also observed several pairs of a childs shoes and toys.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
EPA notified NC DENR Radiation Protection, Radiation Protection responded due to the suspected radiological source.  They determined that the source is Krypton-85, a radiological gas. The gas is still present in the instrument.  EPA and START contractor collected samples for analysis on 1/16/2010. These results are expected to be available on Wednesday 1/20/2010.  EPA also observed approximately 1 lb of mercury in various mercury switches throughout the facility. START screened some drums with pH paper and observed pH as high as 13.   

2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative
On Wednesday, Jan 27th, OSC Perry Gaughan switched out with OSC Rhame. Over the next three days, Environmental Restoration completed "haz-catting" and staging of 110 drums of contaminated soil, mixed waste, polymer waste, oil and corrosives within the facility including five drums collected near a stream in back of the facility. Emergency response contractors (Errs) also removed polymer and waste oil from three large sumps located along production lines and staged this debris on the bottom floor for future disposal. Nineteen mercury switches were collected and drummed. A metal box containing krypton 85 in a thickness gauge was previously removed by NC DENR's Radiation Specialist Clifton Harris and returned to its manufacturer, Qualex Inc, Powell, Ohio. On Jan 30th, Errs demobed awaiting disposal profiling and arrangements.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

EPA is awaiting disposal analytical. Disposal is anticipated for mid Febuary, 2010.

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

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
           
           
           



  2.2 Planning Section
   

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Disposal profiling of wastes.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
To be determined.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues


  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.

  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.

  2.5 Other Command Staff
    No information available at this time.

3. Participating Entities
  No information available at this time.

4. Personnel On Site
  Hickory Fire Deptartment
Catawba County Emergency Management
NC DENR - Radiation Protection
START
US EPA

5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.

6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.

7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.