U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Mercury - Terry Street - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VII
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
First and Final
Mercury - Terry Street
Leavenworth, KS
Latitude: 39.3180880 Longitude: -94.9427850
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To:
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From:
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Tom Mahler, OSC
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Date:
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8/6/2013
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Reporting Period:
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7-16-2013 to 7-24-2013
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
B774 |
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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: |
Time-Critical |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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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: |
7/16/2013 |
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Start Date: |
7/16/2013 |
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Demob Date: |
7/24/2013 |
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Completion Date: |
7/24/2013 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
KSN000706555 |
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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
Emergency Response PRP voluntary cleanup.
1.1.2 Site Description
The site consists of a residential property in a subdivision surrounded on the east, west and south sides by other residences and to the north by a road. There is a fenced-in front and back yard and a garage on the west side of the house.
1.1.2.1 Location
The residence is located at 1613 Terry Street in Leavenworth, Kansas. It is located very near the intersection of North 17th Street and Terry Street.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The primary threat at the site is human exposure to mercury. The residents reported finding small beads of mercury on the kitchen counter from an unknown source three to four times a week over a three to four month period. Two children between the ages of 6 and 10 live in the home.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
The homeowner called the U.S. EPA Region 7 emergency spill line at 15:30 on July 15, 2013. The homeowner reported finding beads of mercury on her kitchen counter on several occasions over the pas couple months. She stated that she has a 10-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son who live with her. The homeowner stated that after speaking to poison control, she searched her kitchen cabinet and may have found the source of the mercury. She reported that she had cleaned up the visible mercury with a disinfectant and paper towels.
Since the state of Kansas will not respond to mercury releases in a residence, the EPA mobilized to the site to screen for mercury on July 16, 2013. In addition, the location of the site is very close to the EPA Regional Office.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
EPA Region 7 On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) Todd Campbell and Tom Mahler mobilized to the site at approximately 10:15 on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. There were four occupants: one adult male, one adult female, a 10-year-old female, and a 6-year-old male. The owners informed the OSCs that they have lived in the house for almost ten years and do not own any mercury thermometers or blood pressure cuffs. They were unaware of any mercury sources in their possession.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
After obtaining a signed access agreement from the homeowners, the house was screened for mercury. Average readings in the house were 6,000 ng/m3. The cabinet containing the suspected source showed an initial reading of 30,000 ng/m3. After allowing the cabinet to come to equilibrium with the rest of the house for about five minutes, the readings dropped to 13,000 ng/m3. The OSCs suggested to the homeowner that she empty the medicine cabinet and place the contents in a poly bag. The bag was brought outside of the house along with a separate poly bag that contained the clean up waste from the homeowner's initial attempt to clean up the visible beads of mercury. After letting the poly bags sit outside for approximately ten minutes, they were screened as well. The bag of medicine cabinet supplies had a reading of about 13,000 ng/m3. The OSCs recommended opening up the house and venting for a few hours, as well as wiping out the inside of the cabinet. A large fan was used for about 45 minutes to pull air out of the house. The OSCs screened the house again and levels had dropped to about 350 ng/m3. The OSCs suggested to the homeowners that they try to vent the house for a couple of hours in the morning and evening for the next two days.
OSCs Randy Schademann and Todd Campbell returned to the Site on Friday, July 19, 2013. Levels inside the house averaged about 1,500 ng/m3. No visible mercury was found. The OSCs suggested that the homeowners continue to vent the house over the next few days.
OSC Eric Nold returned to the Site at approximately 16:00 on July 24, 2013. Average levels in the breathing zone were 650 ng/m3. An elevated reading in the corner of the floor underneath the medicine cabinet revealed a small micro bead of mercury in the grout. The bead was collected with a piece of tape and placed in a ziplock bag. Readings from the head space of the ziplock bad were approximately 90,000 ng/m3. The vacuum cleaner was also checked. The filter canister had readings of approximately 9,000 ng/m3. OSC Nold suggested the homeowners separate the canister from the vacuum and seal it inside a garbage bag. He also suggested that the vacuum be thoroughly washed and left outside in the sun for a few days.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
To date, OSC Mahler is not aware of any enforcement actions that have occurred or or are planned to occur. The PRP is the homeowner. Removal was completed by the PRP with technical assistance from the EPA.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Elemental Hg |
liquid |
less than one ounce |
NA |
NA |
Leavenworth HHW Facility |
| Hg contaminated materials |
solid |
25-30lbs |
NA |
NA |
Leavenworth HHW Facility
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| Hg vapors |
gas |
unk |
NA |
NA |
Leavenworth HHW Facility
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
All site actions have been completed.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
All planned response actions have occurred.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
None are anticipated.
2.2.2 Issues
None at this time.
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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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2.5.1 Safety Officer
No safety issues occurred during the project. OSC acted as Safety Officer.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
The OSC coordinated with state and local officials.
2.5.3 Information Officer
No requests for information from outside sources.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
The limited scope of this response action does not warrant a unified command.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
The EPA coordinated with the Agencey for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) for information related to the health of the children who live on site.
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4. Personnel On Site
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2 EPA OSCs.
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5. Definition of Terms
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Not needed.
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
www.epaosc.org/terrystreetmercury
6.2 Reporting Schedule
No additional reporting is anticipated.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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Not needed.
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