U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Margate Mercury Release - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
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Subject:
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POLREP #3
Continuation of Clean-up and Clearance Monitoring
Margate Mercury Release
B4C2
Margate, FL
Latitude: 26.2351389 Longitude: -80.2305556
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To:
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From:
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Alyssa Hughes, FOSC
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Date:
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9/5/2010
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Reporting Period:
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9/3/2010 0700 to 9/4/2010 2000
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
B4C2 |
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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: |
9/1/2010 |
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Start Date: |
9/1/2010 |
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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: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
The owner of a property located 3 2-ounce bottles of mercury in a closet in the garage. The mercury reportedly belonged to the previous owner. He opened one of the bottles and spilled the contents onto the driveway. Some neighborhood children walked by and saw the mercury and started to play with it. The owner gave the children one of the bottles. The material was then carried into 4 other houses. Two additional properties were impacted at outside locations only.
1.1.2.1 Location
The residential area is located on flat ground in Margate, Broward County, FL. Margate is located just north of Fort Lauderdale, FL, approximately 40 miles from Miami.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The material known on site is elemental mercury which is a CERCLA hazardous substance. At approximately 70 degrees F it becomes a vapor which can travel through small openings to surrounding apartments and the environment. In its elemental form it may also be tracked on shoes and clothing.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
FDEP Emergency Responder Steve Threet arrived on site on Tuesday, August 31 in order to perform an assessment of potentially impacted areas. FDEP responder reported his findings from the screening of 5 schools, 1 public library, 10 public vehicles, 9 houses and 5 school buses. The screenings in the schools, buses, and library were all well below EPA removal action levels (1,000 ng/m3). The values ranged from 0 to 87 ng/m3. Three of the residential properties exhibited levels of mercury vapor exceeding EPA's Removal Action Level, these residents were temporarily relocated with assistance from the Red Cross.
FDEP response personnel contacted EPA Region 4 Duty Officer to ask for assistance in conducting the clean-up operations at the three residential properties.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On 8/28/2010, a resident of Margate, FL, provided bottles of elemental mercury to several neighborhood children to play with. The children reportedly “squirted” each other with the mercury and dropped much of it on the ground outside of the residence; at least one partially filled bottle was reportedly dropped into the nearby canal. Weekend rains washed much of the outdoor mercury off the source location property, but several beads remain visible across the driveway and lawn. Later, the parents of the children discovered what had happened and one or more were taken to the hospital for screening. The local PD and FD responded on 8/30/2010.
EPA TEL coordinated with FLDEP and local PD on 8/30/2010 (FD and Hazmat demobilized by late evening); local responders requested assistance from EPA, having no resources to conduct or oversee cleanup activities, however, FLDEP took the lead on 8/31/2010 and performed an assessment of the affected locations with a mercury vapor analyzer.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
9/3/10 0700 to 9/4/10 0700
The following activities were conducted at each of the properties.
7871 NW 3rd Place - Source
ERRS removed a portion of the carpet in the master bedroom and the area rug. Levels of mercury vapors in this area were 5,000 and 19,000 ng/m3, respectively. Following the removal of the carpet the area was washed with Hg Cs-102, following the wash the floor was rinsed. After these activities the property was ventilated for several hours with open windows and fans forcing air exchange throughout the house.
ERRS crews applied Hg Cs-102 solution to the driveway and allowed it to dry. This cycle was repeated twice. After approximately 1 hour, START and FDEP conducted a screening of the driveway and values remain over 50,000 ng/m3 in several areas. At approximately 1300 hrs the site received approximately 1 hour of heavy rain. Following the rain event OSC Hughes returned to inspect the driveway and numerous beads of mercury were present throughout. Following the rain storm, ERRS crew returned to the driveway with the Hg Vacs to attempt to collect the visible mercury beads. Unfortunately, Hg beads were present in every crack in the deteriorating driveway, and the vacs were unable to extract them. EPA, START and FDEP came together to assess the situation and discuss plans for addressing the substantial mercury contamination present throughout the driveway. Several options were discussed: burning the beads with torches, sealing the beads into the driveway with epoxy paint, stripping the beads out of the cracks with coating, pouring an asphalt top onto the driveway, and removing the entire driveway.
7857 NW 3rd Place
START performed a survey of the property and values ranged from 1,000 to 3,800 ng/m3. Given these values, EPA decided to continue venting until 1600 hrs, turn the air conditioning on to achieve a temperature between 70 and 80 degrees F, shut down til 2200 hrs and attempt a clearance monitoring overnight during optimal temperature conditions. START performed clearance monitoring from 2200 hrs to 0600 hrs. The clearance monitoring at the property did not pass. The values of mercury vapors throughout the residence ranged from 1500 to 7200 ng/m3.
141 NW 78th Ave
ERRS crew removed the entire carpet and the tiles from the foyer. Crews returned with Hg Vacs and vacuumed around the tack line of the living room and hallway. The property vented overnight.
7815 NW 3rd Pl
START re-screened the property following the application of Hg Cs-102 to the washing machine. The cycle was followed by a hot wash. The mercury vapor levels throughout the property were well below the action level of 1,000 ng/m3.
7801 NW 3rd
START re-screen the property located at 7801 NW 3rd Pl following the application of Hg Cs-102 to the washing machine, sink and shower drains. Some of the values throughout the property still exceed the removal action level of 1,000 ng/m3.
9/4/10 0700 to 9/4/2010 2000
The following activities were conducted at each of the properties during this period.
7871 NW 3rd Place - source
An area was delineated on the driveway where a test was performed with the epoxy sealer and strippable coating. Lumex readings were taken before and after the application of the materials. The epoxy sealer substantially lowered the level of mercury vapors, but the stripper was unable to be removed given all of the divets in the driveway. The burning operations were conducted in Level C PPE with START providing air monitoring support. The burning did not destroy the mercury beads. Following the various attempts to remove the mercury beads, the decision was made to remove the entire driveway. This decision was based on the inability of the various methods to remove the presence of elemental mercury.
ERRS crew mobilized two roll-offs and a back hoe to the Site. The crew painted the driveway with the epoxy paint to attempt to bind it as best as possible prior to removal and disposal. After drying time, the driveway was then cut with concrete cutters. Water was used for dust suppression. The equipment operator then began the driveway removal.
The house was mopped twice using the Hg Cs-102 solution. Clearance monitoring will be attempted during night shift.
7857 NW 3rd Place
The clearance monitoring conducted at the property overnight did not pass. The major sources of contamination were the child's bedroom and bathroom. Due to the failure of the clearance monitoring, the property was re-addressed. ERRS crew mopped the house with Hg Cs-102 in an attempt to reduce the level of mercury vapors. Another attempt to clear the property will be performed during night operations.
141 NW 78th Ave
Given the level of mercury vapors detected in the residence following the removal of the carpet and tile, the EPA mercury scrubber was installed in the household. The scrubber will run for 24 hours, then the house will be vented and re-screened.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The mercury was found by the home owner at 7871 NW 3rd. He reportedly found the mercury in a closet that was left on-site from the previous owner. He stated that he didn't understand the dangers of mercury and that's the why he let the children handle the material. The Margate Police Department and FDEP CID are conducting an independent investigation.
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
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
START will complete full scan assessments of potentially impacted properties
Address gross contamination outside
Remove contaminated items exceeding 10,000 ng/m3 form within the homes
Employ mitigation techniques to reduce the level of mercury vapors within the homes
Provide clearance sampling of properties following sufficient mitigation
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
START:
- At approximately 0930 shut off scrubber at 141 NW 78th, follow with ventilation and screening
- Begin assigning thrift market values to confiscated items
- If necessary conduct clearance monitoring at 7857, 7871 during night operations.
- Conduct clearance sampling at 141
ERRS:
- Continue removal of concrete driveway at 7871
- If properties at 7871 and 7857 did not pass clearance, open up for venting and air exchange. Do not mop with Hg Cs-102
- Following the screening at 141, may need to revisit with Hg vac simultaneous with Lumex to identify areas with possible beads present
2.2.2 Issues
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Two 30 yard rolloffs arrived on-site
One back hoe
Two concrete cutters
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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
ERRS and START contractors are responsible for their respective health and safety plans. Each contractor has a HASP and it has been reviewed by the OSC.
2.6 Liaison Officer
Captain Jeff Gary with the City of Margate Fire Rescue is serving as the liaison officer.
Officer Tom McNally will serve as the City of Margate Police Department liaison.
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
No PIO was provided for this response. .
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
Two of the families are being provided with lodging assistance.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA
FDEP
City of Margate Fire Rescue
City of Margate Police Department
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Broward COunty School Board
Broward County Health Department
Florida Department of Health
ATSDR
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA - 2
FDEP - 1
START - 4
ERRS - 6
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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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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
N/A
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Daily for previous day's operational period
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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EPA Mercury Website - Spills, Disposal and Site Cleanup including the Mercury Response Guidebook
www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm
ATSDR - Metallic Mercury FAQs http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mercmetal5.html
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/MercMetallic05.pdf
NIOSH- Safety and Health Topic: Mercury
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/mercury/
OSHA – Mercury Vapors http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/mercuryvapor/index.html
ACGIH - Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs®)
http://www.acgih.org/TLV/
CDC- Elemental Mercury Releases Attributed to Antiques
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5623a2.htm?s_cid=mm5623a2_e
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