EPA is continuing emergency removal actions at this site during the repackaging, transportation, and removal of flammable magnesium materials. Magnesium generators, who previously supplied Remacor with recyclable magnesium and magnesium alloys, are removing their materials from the site. Intermet has suspended shipping material until further notice. SPX Contech will be repackaging its material in preparation to ship it off site.
EPA’s ERRS contractor Guardian Environmental Services, Inc. (GES) is preparing to ship RAD drums which are located in Building #2. ERRS will be relocating the drums to Buildings 7 & 9 for staging. ERRS is also punching the lids on drums of magnesium fines and replacing lids with vented lids. PADEP is providing technical and oversight support at the site. EPA START contractor TechLaw is providing technical and administrative support to EPA as well as doing a full site assessment. EPA and PADEP officials continue to control access to the site in addition to coordinating the activities of the various generators.
Personnel On-Scene:
01/19/08 EPA-2, PADEP-1, START-1, ERRS-8, MHF-1, Security-1 (24 hr)
01/21/08 EPA-1, START-1, ERRS-8, Others-2, Security-1 (24 hr)
Weather:
01/19/08 Low of 28° F, high of 32° F. Overcast, 0.00 inches of precipitation, wind S 3-10 mph.
01/21/08 Low of 24° F, high of 29° F. Cloudy, 0.00 inches of precipitation, wind W 9-15 mph.
01/19/08
EPA’s OSC Dennis Matlock was on site for oversight of activities and site entry. OSC Matlock demobilized.
START attended the morning safety meeting held by ERRS contractor Guardian Environmental, Inc. ERRS continued to re-lid drums of magnesium fines located south of Building 9 on the truck scale pad. The drums existing lids that are not vented and are being replaced with vented lids. ERRS is having to clean each drum lid of water and ice before they can be punched as to not introduce moisture to the water reacting contents. ERRS is working with 4 drums at a time in an isolated area on the truck scale with the drums being about 50 feet apart. ERRS is using an excavator with a punch on the shovel to punch holes in the lids in order to release the pressure on the drums to make them safe to replace lids. The excavator is equipped with a blast shield in order to keep the operator safe if an uncontrolled reaction occurs. ERRS continues to keep personnel at a minimum of 100 feet away from the drums as they are punctured. START and ERRS foreman continue to monitor the drums after they are punctured using a MutiRae to access each drum for Carbon Monoxide (CO), Lower Explosive Limit (LEL), Volatile Organic Compound (VOC), and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S). ERRS changed the lids on 44 drums for the day.
ERRS continues to monitor the 250-ton pile located south east of gate #2. The pile is still giving of heat and gasses. ERRS continues to monitor the pile for reaction and keep it isolated.
START conducted written/photographic documentation, and monitored activities conducted on site. START demobilized.
01/21/08
START attended the morning safety meeting held by ERRS contractor Guardian Environmental, Inc. ERRS continued to punch and re-lid drums of magnesium fines located south of Building 9 on the truck scale slab. ERRS and START monitored drums after they were punched for abnormally high readings. ERRS punched and replaced lids on 51 drums for the day.
START assisted the EPA in conducting written/photographic documentation, and monitoring activities conducted on site.
No PRP activity is presently occurring on site.
ERRS plans to stage RAD drums in Building 7 & 9 for future disposal. ERRS will continue replacing lids on the drums of magnesium fines until completion.
EPA will continue to coordinate with magnesium waste generators for the safe and appropriate removal of the material from the site. EPA will continue to coordinate with all local, state, and federal agencies.
The lids on the drums that pose a threat of combustion are being replaced with vented drums.
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