1.1.1 Incident Category
Removal action under an Action Memorandum.
1.1.2 Site Description
Former electroplating facility essentially abandoned in place
1.1.2.1 Location
4000 - 4008 E. Monument Street

Baltimore, MD 21205
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Potential release of plating acids and other materials into the environment
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

 After site visits on May 3, 2016 and May 18, 2016, the OSC issued a special bulletin on May 19, 2016 and initiated a cleanup at the site.  This was amended on May 27, 2016 to increase the project ceiling.  On June 2, 2016, an Action Memorandum was signed authorizing a removal action at this site.  See the documents section of this website for the Special Bulletins and Action Memorandum.

2.1.1 Narrative
Cleanup initiated.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
A complete inventory of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants in the building has being conducted.  Equipment, debris and miscellaneous materials are being removed from the aisles of the building to facilitate working inside and transporting drums.  Temporary lighting and ventilation have been installed (there is no electricity or water service to the building).  Both hazardous and nonhazardous debris is being transported offsite for proper disposal.

 Security fencing has been installed along the front of the building.  Several steps have been taken to minimize the infiltration of water into the building.  Water that has been collected from the sumps in the building has been pumped to an outside storage tank.  This water has been sampled and if the sample results show that the water is below the discharge limits for the City of Baltimore, it will be discharged to the sanitary sewer system (in accordance with the application filed with the Department of Public Works Pollution Control Section). 

All drums of cyanide salts in the building have been overpacked and staged outside of the building, awaiting disposal.  Drums and containers inside the building are being grouped into compatible groups and staged in secure areas so they can be sampled and prepared for bulking and offsite disposal.  Electroplating vats have been sampled.  The two laboratories in the building have been completely inventoried.

An onsite haz catting lab has been set up.  Drums and containers in the building are being sampled, and the samples are being haz catted for separation into waste streams.  As of 6/7, 73 containers have been sampled, and 20 of these samples have been haz catted.  This process will continue until all drums and containers have been evaluated. 

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Research on PRPs is ongoing.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
The inventory of the building contents will be updated as additional containers are identified.  Categorization, staging, and disposal of hazardous substances will continue. To date over 1400 containers (ranging in size from small lab bottles up to several hundred gallon electroplating vats) have been inventoried.  A request for bids for overpacking and disposal of the laboratory inventory has been distributed.  As more information is gathered on the waste streams present, plans will be made for overpacking and/or bulking compatible waste streams in preparation for offsite disposal.

2.2.2 Issues

The building is in poor condition.  A structural engineer inspected the building and identified several areas of concern (which have been clearly marked with caution tape), but reported that overall the conditions were safe inside the building for the cleanup work.

3.1 Unified Command
Baltimore City Fire, Police, and Housing Departments and Office of Emergency Management, Maryland Department of the Environment, and EPA.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies

OSC - 1

EPA SAO - 1

START - 2

ERRS - 10