U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Karolina Polymers - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
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Subject:
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POLREP #3
Final Polrep - Oil and Drum Disposal Complete
Karolina Polymers
Hickory, NC
Latitude: 35.7088260 Longitude: -81.3396530
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To:
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From:
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Perry Gaughan, On Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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3/22/2010
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Reporting Period:
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March 14th through March 20th
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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 Assessment |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
1/16/2010 |
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Start Date: |
1/16/2010 |
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Demob Date: |
3/20/2010 |
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Completion Date: |
3/20/2010 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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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.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On Monday, March 15th, Environmental Restoration arrived on site and began loading three staged roll-offs with the polymer and oil contaminated debris from the three large sumps within the facility. Errs also arranged for the oil from the oil-water seperator and diesel from the two UST's on site to be disposed of. During the oil disposal effort, 30 drums of oil waste from the sumps was also collected and transported off site on Thursday, March 18th. A total of 7700 gallons of waste oil was disposed of during a two day period. In addition, Errs arranged for the remaining 80 drums of contaminated soil, corrosives, alcohol-based monomer and polymer to be disposed of and transported on Friday, March 19th. After disposal operations were completed, the facility was secured and and all gates were locked to minimize trespassing. Errs demobed on Saturday, March 20th.
During the initial removal phase of this project, OSC Ken Rhame arranged for the metal box containing krypton 85 in a thickness gauge to be removed by NC DENR's Radiation Specialist Clifton Harris. This potential rad source was returned to its manufacturer, Qualex Inc, Powell, Ohio.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
No future actions are anticipated.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
2.2.2 Issues
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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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2.5.1 Safety Officer
2.6 Liaison Officer
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
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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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Hickory Fire Deptartment
Catawba County Emergency Management
NC DENR - Radiation Protection
START
US EPA
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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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