Pollution/Situation Report Profile

BASF Ammonium NItrate Spill
Ataapulgus, GA - EPA Region IV
POLREP #1
Initial and Final POLREP

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
BASF Ammonium NItrate Spill - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV

Subject:

POLREP #1
Initial and Final POLREP
BASF Ammonium NItrate Spill

Ataapulgus, GA
Latitude: 30.7446250 Longitude: -84.4788970

To:

From:

Chris Russell, On Scene Coordinator

Date:

2/18/2011

Reporting Period:

2/11/2011

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:		Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	2/11/2011	Start Date:	2/11/2011
Demob Date:	2/11/2011	Completion Date:	2/11/2011
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response

1.1.2 Site Description
The site is a chemical manufacturing facility.

1.1.2.1 Location
141 Engelhard Road, Ataapulgus, Decatur County, Georgia

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Ammonium Nitrate Solution is a caustic chemical that could react with other chemicals that were on-site. The solution was leaking from a broken seam in a 500,000 gallon tank (75% full during the release) at a rate of 70gpm.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

At noon on 2/11/2011, BASF in Ataapulgus, GA experienced a release of Ammonium Nitrate Solution from a 500,000 gallon tank (75% full) at a rate of over 70 gpm. The spill entered a drainage ditch where it was pumped into a lined holding pond; the drainage ditch led to an on-site treatment system, however, the system would not have been able to handle the full load of the spill. EPA Telephone Duty discussed the magnitude of the release with BASF and dispatched EPA Florida Outpost OSC Russell to oversee response operations.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative
The spill proceeded until it reached below the rip in the tank (>100,000 gallons spilled); OSC Russell confirmed that no product was released off-site and directed the RP to cease nearby loading operations of Nitric Acid until the product was recovered. The product will be sent through a clarifier and reused.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
The spill entered a drainage ditch where it was pumped into a lined holding pond. The product will be sent through a clarifier and reused.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The PRP responded to the spill

2.1.4 Progress Metrics
N/A

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
There are no anticipated additional activities.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
The PRP will clarify the product and store it for it for reuse.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
None.

2.2.2 Issues

OSC Russell directed the RP to cease nearby loading operations of Nitric Acid until the spilled product was recovered.

2.3 Logistics Section

N/A

2.4 Finance Section

No information available at this time.

2.5 Other Command Staff

2.5.1 Safety Officer

N/A

2.6 Liaison Officer

N/A

2.7 Information Officer

2.7.1 Public Information Officer

N/A

2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator

N/A

3. Participating Entities

3.1 Unified Command

US EPA and BASF (RP)

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

4. Personnel On Site

N/A

5. Definition of Terms

N/A

6. Additional sources of information

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

N/A

6.2 Reporting Schedule

N/A

7. Situational Reference Materials

N/A