U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Wolff-Alport Chemical Company Radiological Site RV1 - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
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Subject:
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POLREP #3
Wolff-Alport Chemical Company Radiological Site RV1
A282
Ridgewood, NY
Latitude: 40.6923130 Longitude: -73.9025100
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To:
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From:
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Eric M. Daly, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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12/3/2012
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Reporting Period:
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10/26/12 thru 12/03/12
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
A282 |
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Contract Number: |
EP-S2-10-01 |
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D.O. Number: |
0057 |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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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: |
10/23/2012 |
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Start Date: |
9/27/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
NYC200400810 |
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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
Short Term Time Critical Response
1.1.2 Site Description
The original building was subdivided and currently, the site contains several buildings that have been divided into several businesses. The total land area covers 0.75 acres bound by Irving Avenue on the southwest, and Cooper Avenue on the northwest. At one time, a railroad spur extended to the rear of the buildings; now there is an active rail line adjacent to the site within 125 feet. The spur area is presently unpaved and vegetated. The rear of these buildings is partially fenced, mostly overgrown with vegetation, and is used for storage of construction equipment and a couple of small boats. The surrounding neighborhood contains light industry, commercial businesses and residences.
The businesses at the site include a delicatessen and grocery store (1125 Irving Avenue), office space and unoccupied residential apartments with an attached building housing a tire shop (1125 Irving Avenue) and mini-ATV shop; a building with an auto body shop (15-14 Cooper Avenue) and office space; two buildings used for warehouse purposes (1133-1139 Irving Avenue and 1129 Irving Avenue); and a commercial building with an auto repair shop (1127 Irving Avenue).
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located at 1127-1129 Irving Avenue, in Ridgewood, New York located on the Brooklyn/Queens border.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The Site contains active businesses that operate within structures formerly used by Wolff-Alport, a processor of materials that contained radioactive properties. The presence of radioactivity has been documented within and underneath the identified buildings, in the soil at the rear of the structures along a former rail spur, underneath the sidewalk along Irving Avenue in front of the former Wolff Alport building. Persons that work in or access the buildings at the Site or traverse the public sidewalk in front of the Site or trespass the rear portion of the Site will be exposed to ionizing radiation by passing over or coming into contact with these impacted areas. The area around the Site is, in part, residential in nature. A deli/grocery store on the corner of Irving and Cooper Avenues may tend to increase the number of persons that access the sidewalk in front of the Site. The railroad spur behind the building appears to be an area that is accessed by people. Any excavation conducted at the Site, including on Irving Avenue, could result in increased direct gamma radiation exposures to persons working or walking in and around the disturbed area.
Surveys conducted at the Site indicate that elevated levels of radioactivity are present within one foot of the surface at the rear of the Site on the former rail spur. The area consists of bare soil overgrown with weeds. Although the parcel on which the former rail strip is reportedly considered abandoned and current ownership is questionable, the parcel is used to store heavy machinery, crane equipment and, on occasion, vehicles. As a result, the radioactive contamination can be spread offsite under this scenario and potentially be available for inhalation as a particulate since the streets near the Site sustain a significant amount of vehicular movement. Any excavation conducted at the Site, including on Irving Avenue, could result in an increased chance of contaminant migration, both directly on the roadway and through an airborne pathway, which could impact persons near the Site.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Site Planning and Assessment Activities:
Bi-weekly inter-agency phone conference were postponed during this time range due to Hurricane Sandy ActivitiesParticipants:United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA)Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
United States Department of Energy (US DOE)
New York State Department of Conservation (NYS DEC)
New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH)
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH)
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)November 04, 2012: Scheduled delineation of elevated radiation levels and mark out at Primo #1 was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy.November 9, 2012: OSC mailed out property access agreements:· New information for potential property owner, Bethel Church of God, 7th Day (Block 3725Lot 31-Business: Railroad Spur)November 13, 2012: DNA Info Article released. November 14, 2012: Capital New York Article released. November 14, 2012: Community Board #5 Meeting at Middle Village, Queens. C. Echols (PAD), A. Karam (NYC DOHMH) and E. Daly (EPA OSC) attended.November 20, 2012: OSC Daly made contact with a Pastor from the Bethel Church of God, 7th Day. He confirmed that his church owns Lot 31. OSC Daly forwarded the property access agreement and awaits signature to proceed.November 27, 2012: OSC Daly received the signed access agreement document from Boro Cabinet owners (Lot #31).November 28, 2012: OSC Daly, EPA RIAB, NYC DOHMH, and Weston performed walk thru activities in both IS-384 and Audrey Johnson Daycare. The purpose of the walk thru was to map out floor plans, determine amount of radon cartridges needed for radon sampling effort, determine best locations for cartridge placement and to assist in finalization of radon sampling plan. Once sampling plan is finalized and cartridges are received, sampling schedule will be established for these two locations as well as Primo, Terra Nova and Jarabacoa Deli (pending signed access agreement)November 28, 2012: Bi-weekly inter-agency phone conference. This was the first phone conference since Hurricane Sandy.Response Actions to Date:
October 23, 2012: EPA OSC meet ERRS on-site. (Mobilization date)
October 24, 2012: EPA OSCs, EPA RIAB, NYC DOHMH, KEMRON, and Weston conducted shielding pilot study at the most elevated radiation levels along Irving Avenue Sidewalk in front of Lot 42 and 44 (Primo Auto Body Bays #1/ #2 and Terra Nova). Shielding study was also conducted inside of Primo Auto #2 Bay. The team also surveyed the sidewalk along Irving Avenue and delineated elevated radiation levels. The area was marked out with pink spray paint (NYC Color Code for survey work). OSC handed written access agreement to Boro Cabinet.
October 25-26, 2012: EPA OSCs, EPA RIAB, NYC DOHMH, KEMRON, and Weston tamp down foliage on Lot 31, stack debris, and conduct gross radiation survey to identify hot spots. Crane Company (Auringer) was contacted in person to remove remaining metal plates on Lot 31. The hole in the basement of IS 384 School was sealed.
November 10, 2012: EPA OSCs, EPA RIAB, NYC DOHMH, KEMRON, and Weston performed survey and delineated elevated radiation at Primo #1, Primo #2, and Terra Nova.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The Wolff-Alport Chemical Company is the responsible party but this company went out of business in the 1950's.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
ERRS is researching subcontracts for property surveyor and fencing company.
Radon survey planning is ongoing for the IS-384 School, Audrey Johnson Daycare, Jarabacoa Deli, Primo Auto and Terra Nova. The radon sampling plan is being finalized based on the Site visit on 11/28/12. Start date is dependent on weather (colder temperatures and consistent HVAC system running is the optimum condition), arrival of cartridges and procuring of the laboratory.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
No planned activities at this time
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Develop shielding work plan based on 10/24/12 & 11/10/12 delineation and shielding pilot study.
Develop radon sampling/survey plan.
Schedule dates for Radon survey/sampling at IS-384 School, Audrey Johnson Daycare, Jarabacoa Deli, Primo Auto and Terra Nova.
Schedule dates for delineation/survey of Lots 30 & 31.
2.2.2 Issues
The signed access agreements for Lot 46 (Jarabacoa Deli), Lot 31 (Boro Cabinets) and Lot 31 have yet to be received.
Abandoned vehicles (two boats and one car) need to be removed from Lot 31.
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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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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
United States Department of Energy (US DOE)
New York State Department of Conservation (NYS DEC)
New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH)
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH)
New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)
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4. Personnel On Site
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OSC Daly
ERRS-1 RM and 1 Operator
Weston-1 Technician
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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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