U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Mertz Road Mercury Spill - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #3
Final POLREP
Mertz Road Mercury Spill
C549
Caro, MI
Latitude: 43.4490059 Longitude: -83.3854761
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To:
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Sherry Fielding, U.S. EPA
Jason El-Zein, U.S. EPA
Thomas Marks, U.S. EPA
Brian Kelly, U.S. EPA
Beverly Kush, U.S. EPA
Cheryl McIntryre, U.S. EPA
John Maritote, U.S. EPA
Tracy Johnson, U.S. EPA
Monesh Chabria, U.S. EPA
Carol Ropski, EPA-ESS
Christina Bush, Michigan Department of Community Health
Duty Officer, USCG
Joe Walczak, MDEQ
Bruce VanOtteren, MDEQ
Michael Chezik, DOI
Patrick Finn, Tuscola County Office of Emergency Management
Jerry White, Tuscola County Heath Department
Tip MacGuire, Tuscola County Health Department
Gretchen Tenbusch, Tuscola County Health Department
Ann Hepfer, Tuscola County Health Department
David Mattlin, Caro Fire Department
Mike Pine, Tuscola Sheriff's Office
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From:
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Jon Gulch, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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10/20/2011
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Reporting Period:
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May 17-October 5, 2011
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
C549 |
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Contract Number: |
EP-S5-08-04 |
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D.O. Number: |
0031 |
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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: |
N/A |
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Mobilization Date: |
5/5/2011 |
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Start Date: |
5/5/2011 |
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Demob Date: |
8/15/2011 |
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Completion Date: |
10/5/2011 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
MIN000510577 |
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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
See POLREP #1 for a detailed Site Description.
1.1.2.1 Location
The residential property is located on Mertz road in Caro, Tuscola County, Michigan. The property is occupied by four adults living in the main living area and one person that occupies a lower level of the home (former garage area).
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Elemental Mercury present in a residential property and suspected of being tracked into the environment.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On May 5, 2011, TCHD used a Lumex to screen the inside of the home where the mercury was spilled. Readings inside the home ranged from 6,000-22,000ng/m3 in the breathing zone and up to 100,000 ng/m3 in the immediate vicinity of the mercury that was visible in the back of the house.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On May 17, 2011, air samples were collected from the breathing zone of the bedroom for mercury analysis to determine if residents could reoccupy the bedroom. The results of the NIOSH 6009 Test for mercury was 2,800 ng/m3, which exceeded the ATSDR recommended clearance value of 1,000 ng/m3.
On May 27, 2011, based on the elevated mercury readings, the ERRS contractor remobilized to the site to remove any visible mercury beads and apply a second coat of epoxy to the bedroom floor.
On May 31, 2011, another round of air sampling was collected from the bedroom for mercury analysis. During sample collection, Lumex screening levels in the room reached 16,500 ng/m3 at a temperature of 84°F. These elevated readings prevented collection of the second air sample.
Between June 1-8, 2011, EPA remobilized to the site to conduct further mercury clean-up and screening activities in the bedroom. In order to remove the mercury vapors in the bedroom, EPA conducted the following activities:
- Capped the drain located in the bedroom;
- Cut away the bottom 4-6 inches of drywall along the east and west walls of the bedroom;
- Cut away the sill plate under the west wall;
- Used a mercury vacuum to remove mercury beads located along the west wall and beneath the east wall sill plate;
- Applied additional layers of epoxy to the floor of the bedroom and on the east wall sill plate;
- Caulked any gaps around the east wall sill plate;
- Applied spray-foam insulation to minimize the escape of vapors that could volatilize from potential mercury present under the east wall sill plate; and
- Repeatedly heated and vented the bedroom to allow clearance screening.
On June 10, 2011, EPA collected a second air sample from the bedroom breathing zone for mercury analysis. During the collection of this air sample, Lumex readings in the breathing zone ranged from 575-880 ng/m3 at temperatures between 70-75° F. The air sample analytical result for mercury was 340 ng/m3, which was below the ATSDR recommended clearance value of 1,000 ng/m3.
On June 20, 2011, EPA notified TCHD of the results and they notified the residents that they could re-occupy the house.
On August 15, 2011, all Site restoration activities were complete, and wastes generated during the emergency response were properly disposed off-site at an EPA approved facility.
From August 16-October 5, 2011, EPA received the final disposal verification, worked with START to finalize the Site Report, and worked on the Action Memorandum.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Removal of elemental mercury beads.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
NA
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| RQ, UN2609, Waste Mercury, 8, III |
Mercury |
1 lb. |
007675153JJK |
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PetroChem Processing Group, 421 Lycaste, Detroit, MI |
| Non-DOT, Non RCRA Regulated Materials (PPE) |
Debris |
30 yd3 |
007675153JJK |
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PetroChem Processing Group, 421 Lycaste, Detroit, MI |
| Non-DOT, Non RCRA Regulated Material (Decon Water) |
Water |
55 gallon |
007675153JJK |
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PetroChem Processing Group, 421 Lycaste, Detroit, MI |
| R5 Priorities Summary |
| This is an Integrated River Assessment. The numbers should overlap. |
Miles of river systems cleaned and/or restored |
0 |
| Cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed and/or capped |
0 |
| Gallons of oil/water recovered |
0 |
| Acres of soil/sediment cleaned up in floodplains and riverbanks |
0 |
| Stand Alone Assessment |
Acres Protected |
0.2 |
| Number of contaminated residential yards cleaned up |
0 |
| Human Health Exposures Avoided |
4 |
| Number of workers on site |
4 |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Assist TCHD with a Local Government Reimbursement Claim to EPA
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
None.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
None.
2.2.2 Issues
None.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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N/A
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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
N/A
2.6 Liaison Officer
N/A
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
To date, there has been no media interest in the Emergency Response.
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
N/A
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA
Caro Fire Department
Tuscola County Sheriff Department
Tuscola County Health Department
Tuscola County Office of Emergency Management
Michigan Department of Community Health
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
EPA
Caro Fire Department
Tuscola County Sheriff Department
Tuscola County Health Department
Tuscola County Office of Emergency Management
Michigan Department of Community Health
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA-1
START-1
ERRS-3
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5. Definition of Terms
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N/A
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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
N/A
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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NA
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