SC DHEC began air monitoring after arriving on site. Air monitoring consisted of five AreaRAEs and MultiRAEs. AreaRAEs were equipped with chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, volatiles, and LEL sensors. After discussions between EPA and SC DHEC, EPA was asked to conduct water sampling of runoff into Prestwood Lake. Due to continued emissions from the fire, EPA was requested to supplement SC DHEC air monitoring and sampling efforts.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
SC DHEC began air monitoring after arriving on site. Air monitoring consisted of five AreaRAEs and MultiRAEs. AreaRAEs were equipped with chlorine, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen, volatiles, and LEL sensors. SC DHEC air monitoring did not detect any levels of concern.
On 2/14/2011 EPA mobilized to the site and mobilized START assets at approximately 2200.
On 2/15/2011 EPA and START arrived on site at approximately 0100 and integrated with local responders, SC DHEC and the PRP. START collected MSDSs, process, inventory and site data from the PRP and identified surface water sampling locations that consisted of 10 locations representative of the impact to lake Prestwood. EPA and START teams divided into air and water sampling teams. At 1130 sampling equipment arrived on site and water sampling operations began at 1200. Eleven water samples (including one field duplicate sample) were collected and analyzed for pH, DO, BOD, COD, RCRA metals and zinc, and NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). Air samples were collected and analyzed for RCRA metals plus zinc and asbestos. One asbestos and metal air sample were collected within the plume on the fire site and additional samples were collected downwind within the community. During boat operations for water sampling there was a visible impact to the lake but no observations were made of impacted wildlife.
On 02/16/2011 SC DHEC will continue air monitoring operations and conduct water sampling. EPA collected a total of four sediment samples (including one field duplicate sample) in shallow waters in the area of the fire site and upstream at the request of the DOI. EPA also conducted water quality monitoring for Dissolved Oxygen, pH, turbidity and conductivity. EPA collected an additional asbestos air sample along with additional metals air samples, including speciation of hexavalent and trivalent chromium). EPA and SC DHEC coordinated throughout response activities with the PRP, Agrium US Inc, to allow them to split samples.
Analytical results for air samples identified only zinc at a concentration of 0.0036 milligrams per cubic meter. No other metals were detected at concentrations above the laboratory reporting limit. In addition to zinc, the following compounds were detected in air samples: nitrous oxide (up to 5,049 parts per million by volume [ppmv]), nitric oxide (up to 141 ppmv), and hydrogen chloride (up to 150 ppmv) were identified inside the exclusion zone; and nitric oxide (up to 2.31 ppmv) was identified in samples collected from downwind locations.
Analytical results for surface water and sediment samples were provided to the US Fish & Wildlife Service for further evaluation.
On February 16, 2011, the fire was extinguished. EPA continued to coordinate with SCDHEC, who took the lead role in oversight and management of future actions at the. On February 17, 2011, EPA and START demobilized from site.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Following EPA's demobilization SCDHEC continued to coordinate with the PRP regarding future enforcement activities at the site.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
The fire was extinguished on February 16, 2011.
