| To: |
Christopher Jimenez, USEPA Region 2, ERRD-RPB
James Daloia, USEPA, Region 2, ERRD-RPB
John Higgins, USEPA, Region 2, ERRD-RPB
Eric Mosher, USEPA , Region 2, ERRD-RPB
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| 1. Introduction |
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1.1 Background |
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| Site Number: |
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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: |
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| Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
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| NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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| Mobilization Date: |
7/27/2012 |
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Start Date: |
7/24/2012 |
| Demob Date: |
7/27/2012 |
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Completion Date: |
7/27/2012 |
| CERCLIS ID: |
NYN000206581 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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| ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
The Chloe Foods Facility (aka Blue Ridge Farms Inc) was a former RMP facility having reported storage of 18,800 lbs of anhydrous ammonia. The facility is surrounded by commercial and residential properties in the Cypress Hill Section of Brooklyn, NY.
The facility was a former food processing / perishable food packaging facility that utlized ammonia in it's refridgeration process. The facility included approximately 150,000 square feet of space and spanned 1 x 2 city blocks. The initial building structure was constructed in the early 1900s with many additions in the years that followed. The ammonia system area was within the original building structure which was constructed of steel and brick/masonary facade.
1.1.2.1 Location
3301 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11208. The facility is bound on the South by Atlantic Ave, the north by Fulton Street, the east by Euclid Ave, and the west by Chestnut Street.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Potential release of a hazardous substance, anhydrous ammonia, due to potential impacts from the closure of facility operations and impacts from the fire incident of 7/23/2012.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On 7/24/2012, EPA received initial notification of the 7/23/2012 via a news report. Representatives from the Risk Management Program (RMP) informed the REOC of the fire incident and basic history related to the former RMP facility. The facility was formerly regulated under the RMP program due its storage of 18,800 lbs of anhydrous ammonia for its refrigeration operations. While the facility had previously reported the removal of the anhydrous ammonia, the EPA RMP Program was not able to confirm via site inspection due to the closure of the facility.
EPA’s initial activities included coordination with the Local FD, NYC DEP Hazmat, and the MTA due to a local commuter line adjacent to the site. EPA informed Local FD, FDNY Hazmat, and NYC DEP Hazmat regarding the potential for this facility to still have anhydrous ammonia on-site and the approximate location of that system and the storage vessels associated with the refrigeration system. NYC DEP Hazmat was on-site on 7/24/2012 and conducted initial air monitoring for ammonia but access was limited to the buildings due to the compromised integrity. Discussions with NYC DEP Hazmat indicated that the DEP would continue monitoring site operations such as investigation and potential demolition.
On 7/26/2012 EPA received information from the office of Congressmember Nydia M. Velazquez regarding local citizen complaints of eye irritation and odor complaints believed to be caused by the former Chloe Foods facility. Upon receipt of complaints, EPA contacted NYC OEM and NYC DEP Hazmat. Both agencies indicated that they had no similar complaints via hotlines or from workers on site. Further discussion with NYC OEM resulted in a request for EPA to provide technical assistance and potential assistance on-site to confirm the presence and/or lack of ammonia on site. EPA mobilized to the site on 7/27/2012 to provide air monitoring support, and assist with the site investigation for the presence of ammonia. Due to predicted storm activity (heavy wind/rain), all operations on site were shut down during the evening of 7/26/2012 and scheduled to resume on 7/27/2012.
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| 2. Current Activities |
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2.1 Operations Section |
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2.1.1 Narrative
On 7/27/2012, EPA OSCs responded to the potential release of ammonia at the former Chloe Foods Facility in Brooklyn, NY. EPA assistance was requested by NYC OEM as EPA had some technical information regarding the former RMP facility.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
At approximately 1000 hrs on 7/27/2012 EPA participated in an operations meeting with NYC OEM, NYC DEP, and NYC Department of Housing, Preservation, and Demolition (HPD). The current plan for this site was to secure the site while the city was awaiting the demolition action by the property owner trustee as the property was part of a bankruptcy proceeding. Discussions and initial assessment of the fire site showed little impact to the part of the facility that potentially housed the ammonia refrigeration system. During the initial reconnaissance, EPA conducted perimeter air monitoring for ammonia, VOCs, and explosive environments utilizing AreaRAE and MultiRAE instruments. Following that meeting and initial reconnaissance EPA and NYC Representatives met with the property owner representative (bankruptcy trustee) to discuss the situation and potentially obtain additional information. The property owner representative was unable to provide concrete information regarding any storage of ammonia on-site or if the refrigeration system had be removed. EPA discussed its concerns and the need to further assess the facility. With the approvals of NYC OEM and the property owner representative, EPA was able to conduct a further investigation and air monitoring within the areas of the facility where the ammonia system was located. With the assistance of an OSC who previously inspected the former RMP facility EPA was able to determine that all ammonia storage had been removed prior to the fire. Inspection of the previous storage locations showed no evidence of ammonia. Continued air monitoring in and around the facility did not yield any detectable levels ammonia or VOCs.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
None, NYC HPD and DEP is working with a property representative regarding any required demolition and debris cleanup.
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2.2 Planning Section |
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
None
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
None
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
None
2.2.2 Issues
None
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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
NA
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
NA
2.5.3 Information Officer
NA
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| 3. Participating Entities |
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3.1 Unified Command
NYC OEM, NYC HPD, NYC DEP, US EPA
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| 4. Personnel On Site |
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EPA - 3
NYC - 8
PRP - 2
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| 5. Definition of Terms |
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NA
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| 6. Additional sources of information |
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
6.2 Reporting Schedule
NA - Final PolRep
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| 7. Situational Reference Materials |
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No information available at this time. |
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