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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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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: |
PRP Oversight |
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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: |
4/3/2014 |
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Start Date: |
4/3/2014 |
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Demob Date: |
4/22/2014 |
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Completion Date: |
9/4/2014 |
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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
This site consists of multiple residential homes contaminated with inorganic mercury due to the resident's use of a mercury tainted face creams.
1.1.2 Site Description
The site are single or multi-family residential dwellings.
1.1.2.1 Location
See POLREP Nos. 1 and 2.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Face creams and other cosmetics tainted with inorganic mercury possibly originating in Mexico has resulted in multiple cases of mercury poisoning including a 20 month old child. The cream is believed to contain inorganic mercury salts most likely mercuric chloride or sulfide. The use of the cream has resulted in the contamination of personal effects above the 3000 ng/m2 Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry (ATSDR) unrestricted release limit for personal effects.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
See POLREP Nos. 1 and 2.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
The EPA with START assistance has provided technical and scientific assistance to OCoHCA and Los Angeles County Public Health (LACoPH) in the assessment of residential dwellings contaminated with inorganic mercury salts originating from homemade face creams.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA has not participated in any additional screenings. At this time all screenings are being conducted by OCoEH and LACoPH and HHMD. No further EPA assistance is required at this time.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The source of the face cream's is unknown at this time. FDA Criminal Investigation Division is investigating to determine the source of the materials.
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2.2 Planning Section
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The generic QASP prepared by OSC Wise has been forwarded to the participating agencies for use at their discretion.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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NA
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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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All information management up to this point has been handled by OCoHCA. EPA Public Affairs has been advised and has offered assistance to Orange County.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
OCoHCA and LACoPH are the lead agencies in their respective counties. EPA is provided technical assistance to both counties.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
- ATSDR
- FDA
- U.S. Attorney's Office
- CADPH
- DTSC
- ATSDR
ATSDR and CADPH are coordinating with agencies in the border region to reach out to the agencies on the Mexican side of the border. OSC Wise has requested the lead OSC for the Border 2020 Taskforce notify the Mexican government agencies on the Taskforce of the issue associated with the facial products.
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4. Personnel On Site
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NA
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5. Definition of Terms
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ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry
CADPH: California Department of Public Health
CDC: Centers for Disease Control
DTSC: Department of Toxic Substance Control
EPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
FDA: Food and Drug Administration
HHMD: Los Angeles County Fire Department Health Hazardous Materials Division
LACoPH: Los Angeles County Public Health
ng/m2 : nanograms/cubic meter of air
OCoHCA: Orange County Health Care Agency
OSC: On-Scene Coordinator
START: Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
www.epaosc.org/Hgcream
6.2 Reporting Schedule
This is the final POLREP.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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Additional materials can be found on the "Documents" section of this web site.
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