On January 19, 2016, The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) requested assistance from the EPA in order to remove hazardous chemicals from a private residence located in a residential neighborhood of University Place, Washington. The property is comprised of a home, garage and storage shed. The homeowner was storing chemicals for a friend who passed away in July 2015. The homeowner, where the chemicals were being stored, was not aware of the danger involved with the chemicals left behind by his friend. Once the homeowner determined that the chemicals may pose a danger he contacted local law enforcement, who then contacted Federal law enforcement agencies and Ecology. The deceased party who left behind the chemicals was previously the responsible party at the East 11th Street Chemical Fire in March 2012, which also led to an emergency response by EPA.
OSCs Jeff Fowlow and Brooks Stanfield mobilized to the site on January 20, 2016 with EPA emergency response contractors to meet with the homeowner, Ecology, and law enforcement officials. An initial assessment confirmed the presence of improperly stored containers of various CERCLA-listed hazardous substances in the garage, shed, and outside at the residence. Some of the chemicals reported to be at the residence, for example, included sodium and potassium metal and hydrofluoric acid, the latter of which is defined as extremely hazardous substances (EHS) under the Federal Environmental Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA). Sodium and potassium metal reacts with water causing emission of flammable gases which can cause burns to human tissue and ignite spontaneously. Hydrofluoric Acid is corrosive action on metals and can result in formation of hydrogen gas in containers and piping to create explosion hazard. It is very hazardous if coming into contact with skin or if inhaled. Other chemicals secured at the site include: elements or compounds of aluminum, ammonium chlorate and chloride, barium hydroxide, cadmium nitrate, chromium sulfate, hexamethylenetetramine, lithium, magnesium, potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium permanganate, sodium chlorate, sodium cyanide, mercuric nitrate, cesium nitrate, strontium, and zinc chloride.
EPA and its contractors categorized, secured, and safely transported all hazardous chemicals off site for proper disposal. The response was completed by January 21, 2016.
