|
1. Introduction
|
|
|
1.1 Background
|
|
|
|
|
Site Number: |
B44C |
|
Contract Number: |
|
|
D.O. Number: |
|
|
Action Memo Date: |
7/24/2014 |
|
Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
|
Response Type: |
Emergency |
|
Response Lead: |
EPA |
|
Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
|
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
|
Operable Unit: |
|
|
Mobilization Date: |
7/21/2014 |
|
Start Date: |
7/21/2014 |
|
Demob Date: |
7/23/2014 |
|
Completion Date: |
8/13/2014 |
|
CERCLIS ID: |
NCN000401470 |
|
RCRIS ID: |
|
|
ERNS No.: |
|
|
State Notification: |
|
|
FPN#: |
|
|
Reimbursable Account #: |
|
1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
The site consists of a single story residential property in a residential neighborhood.
1.1.2.1 Location
1225 Pinebrook Circle, Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina. The geographical coordinates are Latitude: 35.3071680, Longitude: -82.4724830.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Concentrations of mercury exceeding the Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry (ATSDR) residential exposure levels were found in an occupied residential house with two young children.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
A family recently purchased a single family home and was preparing to move into the house. Two of the children (7 year old twins) found metallic mercury on the floor of the basement and were playing with the material. Mercury appears to have been left by the previous owners. Mother washed the children’s hands and contacted poison control and county health department. After children left the house, the father used a standard shop vacuum and attempted to clean up the mercury. Henderson County Health Department is working with family on the possible exposure issue. North Carolina Public Health Preparedness and Response (NCPHP&R) contacted EPA and requested assistance.
On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Eichinger and Superfund Technical Assistance Response Team (START) surveyed the home and found levels exceeding the ATSDR residential mercury levels in the basement. Mercury was visible around and in the floor drain. Concentration of metallic mercury detected ranged from 1000 nanograms/cubic meter(ng/m3) and greater than 50,000 ng/m3. Family also stayed at two local hotels before they knew the children were exposure to the mercury.
|
|
2. Current Activities
|
|
|
2.1 Operations Section
|
|
|
|
2.1.1 Narrative
Concentrations of mercury exceeding the Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry (ATSDR) residential exposure levels were found in an occupied residential house with two young children. In consideration of these factors, the OSC elected to initiate an emergency response to address the risk due to the release of hazardous substances to the environment.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
One 55-gallon drum of mercury contaminated waste and two 55-gallon drums of used personal protective equipment were removed by Giant Resource Recovery from Sumter, South Carolina and transported for disposal at their facility on August 13, 2014.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The Potential Responsible Parties (PRP) are the current and previous property owners at 1225 Pinebrook Circle.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Mercury Contaminated Debris |
Solid |
1 55-gallon drum |
000193481GRR
|
Re-Tort |
Incineration |
| Non-Hazardous Debris |
Solid |
2 55-gallon drums |
000193481GRR
|
|
Landfill |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.2 Planning Section
|
|
|
|
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Anticipated removal activities for the Site will include, but
are not limited to, the following:
- Provide mercury recovery and decontamination.
- Remove visible metallic mercury
- Treat and decontaminate all necessary surfaces
- Heat and ventilate the structure to remove mercury vapor
- Seal the basement floor with an epoxy paint
- Conduct air monitoring to assure that removal activities reduce the ambient mercury levels below ATSDR recommended levels.
- Dispose of waste generated from the response
- Coordinate with Local and State Agencies
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
- No further response activities planned
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
- Response is complete, no further response activities planned
2.2.2 Issues
- No pertinent information to report
|
|
|
2.3 Logistics Section
|
|
|
|
Logistical support is being provided by ERRS, START and Q-Solutions/EPA Warehouse contractors and EPA personnel.
|
|
|
2.4 Finance Section
|
|
|
|
No information available at this time.
|
|
|
2.5 Other Command Staff
|
|
|
|
2.5.1 Safety Officer
OSC Eichinger is serving as the Safety Officer with START and ERRS each providing an Assistant Safety Officer. Removal activities were conducted in Level C personal protective equipment.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
OSC Eichinger is currently coordinating will Local and State Response Partners.
2.5.3 Information Officer
No pertinent information to report at this time.
|
|
3. Participating Entities
|
|
|
3.1 Unified Command
An incident command structure has been established for this incident. At this time, OSC Eichinger is filling the role of Incident Commander with personnel from START and ERRS supporting the response.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
The following local and state agencies are providing support:
- North Carolina Department of Health
- Henderson County Department of Health
- Buncombe County Department of Health
- Henderson County Emergency Management Agency
- Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Register
|
|
4. Personnel On Site
|
|
|
The following personnel were on-site at various times throughout this reporting period:
ERRS: 2
|
|
5. Definition of Terms
|
|
|
Abbreviations and acronyms are spelled out within the text of the Pollution Report. Definitions will be added to this section as necessary.
|
|
6. Additional sources of information
|
|
|
6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
Documents, photographs, maps and other important/pertinent information can be found at http://epaosc.org/pinebrookhg. Log-in credentials may be required to view certain documents.
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Pollution Reports (POLREP) will initially be drafted periodically. Please note that POLREP must be review and approved prior to publication, so there may be a delay.
|
|
7. Situational Reference Materials
|
|
|
All situational reference materials will be uploaded to http://epaosc.org/pinebrookhg. Log-in credentials may be required to access certain documents.
|
