Hazardous Incidents at Ambler Asbestos Piles Site - Assignment Example

Ambler Asbestos Piles Superfund Site and Pennsylvania is among of the few s in UnitedStates that is known for a long history in mining asbestos. Data processed by the United States Geological Survey show that there are about 4 asbestos mining locations in the southeastern area of Pennsylvania. Shein Law Center define asbestos as a supple type of mineral, which is composed of thread-like fibers, while adding that the most widespread type of asbestos that is found in this state is amphibole. Crocidolite, which is a subcategory of the amphibole asbestos, is among the most hazardous type of asbestos since its fibers tend to prolong their duration in the human lungs, which often leads to development of mesothelioma cancer. The paper will provide an in-depth analysis of the background of incidents at Ambler Asbestos Piles site, the extent of asbestos contamination, the number of people harmed by the asbestos-related diseases, the studies conducted at the site, and what the EPA cleanup project entailed. For a long time, asbestos has been a prevalent mineral in Ambler, and its impact on human health as well as on environmental nature has raised serious health alarms such as causing asbestosis and mesothelioma; the impact of these diseases causes decline in mortality rates. In order to protect human health and conserve the environment from pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency implemented a cleanup project in Ambler, Pennsylvania through systematic remedy actions to curb the asbestos menace at the Ambler Asbestos Piles site. Burke reports that Asbestos has accumulated at Ambler Asbestos Piles site, especially the Wissahickon Creek towards the end of the 19th century. The accumulation of asbestos was as a result of disposal of asbestos-contaminated wastes by Keasbey and Mattison Co. Later on, Nicolet Inc acquired a part of Keasbey and Mattison Co and continues using the dump site to dispose of asbestos products. The company dealt in manufacturing asbestos building materials, for example, millboard and insulating boilers. Burke asserts that the federal Environmental Protection Company gave orders to the Nicolet Company to stop disposing of the wastes on the site, but the orders had little impact. The Environmental Protection Company fined the Nicolet Company with a $1.4 million lien in expenses to conduct a cleanup program. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mesothelioma related deaths due to asbestos in Pennsylvania were high between 1999 and 2010. Asbestos.com report that there were 1996 reported deaths due to mesothelioma cancer whereas asbestosis related effects caused 376 deaths. Interestingly, Pennsylvania is ranked third in United States for asbestos related mortality rate. Most of the victims affected were the employees working in the mining sites; hence, they were easily exposed to asbestos for long periods. Since the healthcare field incorporated little technology, research was limited, informed knowledge concerning asbestosis, and mesothelioma was rare among the inhabitants of Amber, thus, employees were unable safeguard themselves against prolonged exposures to asbestos. According to Asbestos, statistics from Environmental Working Group indicate that there were mesothelioma related death reports of between 1348 and 2215 people who lost their lives from 1979 and 2001. In addition, another 1728 group of people were reported to have died due to asbestosis during the same period. The EPA also asserts that various industries in Pennsylvannia such as shipbuilding, construction, pipefitting, and demolition had a great contribution in increasing the asbestos problem in this state. The Ambler Asbestos Piles, which lies in Montgomery County in Pennsylvannia was among the leading sites in Ambler that were responsible for asbestos related deaths in the region. EPA reports that the county recorded a death range of between 317 and 385 due to asbestosis from 1979 to 2001. Among the leading contributions of the high prevalence of asbestos in the region was attributed to the large shipments of asbestos from Libby, Montana, between 1948 and 1993. The Ambler Asbestos Piles site is composed of 3 asbestos-contained waste materials and a number of filter bed lagoons. According to EPA, the overall amount of piles wastes that was contaminated with asbestos had exceeded one and half million cubic yards; the wastes had occupied Wissahickon Creek and its flood plain neighbor, the Ambler Asbestos Piles site. The construction of the piles was established through depositing concrete asbestos waste, which were deposited on the surfaces and liquid wastes slurry, which were deposited in the established cinder berms where they dried. The deposition of the wastes containing asbestos on Ambler Asbestos Piles site commenced around 1930 and continued until 1974. After the closure of Nicolet Company, the dumpsite with piles remained uncovered since the vegetation in the area was scarce. The uncovered site with exposed side slopes provided a perfect opportunity for the underlying asbestos-contaminated wastes to emerge to the surface. The asbestos fibers in Ambler Asbestos Piles site spread to adjoining areas such as a neighborhood playground through air and waste transmission. Due to the adverse health effects posed by asbestos, the CDC issued a public health advisory for the closure of neighboring areas. As a result, side slopes and some flat areas in the Locust Street are now closed from public access. The confirmation of asbestos fibers transmission through air from the piles to human populated areas necessitated the implementation of public closure. The EPA report that due to Ambler Asbestos Piles’ long mining history and high prevalence of asbestos-related effects such as asbestosis and mesothelioma in the site, it was proposed that the site should be included in the National Priorities List (NPL) on 10th October 1984 but was included in the list in 10th June 1986. EPA examines Superfund sites after 5 years to ascertain that clean ups carried out are able to offer protective measures to protect human health and the surroundings. The regular reviews that are required by the federal law when contaminants remain at site include inspecting the superfund site and cleanup technologies, reviewing of supervisory data, operational data, and maintenance records. Additionally, the reviews also involve determining whether new regulatory measures have been implemented since EPA’s original clean up decision was finalized. In 1983, EPA’s Emergency team and Pennsylvannia Department of Environmental Resources undertook an inspection on Ambler Asbestos Piles site (Majumdar & Miller, 1984). Remedial investigations determined that the causes of contamination in Ambler Asbestos Piles site were the 3 waste piles and the filter-bed lagoon. Most notably, when the piles section were exposed, they had the potential of releasing asbestos fibers to the air and adjacent surface water of the Wissahickon Creek. Additionally, the investigation revealed that the asbestos fibers would be transmitted to the human body through air inhalation or intake of contaminated water or soil. The results of the inspection indicated that the site posed serious environmental and public health issues. Therefore, Ambler Asbestos Piles site was included in the NPL list in 1986, EPA’s superfund program conducted removal response measures and a thorough investigation into the major sources of asbestos, in response to the asbestos contamination in Ambler. During the pre-clean up research, air, surrounding waters, soil, sediments, and underground water were discovered to contain asbestos. The cleanup process began as early as 1974 where the State denied mining sites the permission grants for continued deposition of waste. Consequently, they gave orders to 2 companies which operated at the location to stop the dumping activities and instead cover the piles of waste. Counteractive investigations were undertaken on both parcels to establish the extent of asbestos contamination in the waste piles. The results from investigation established that there were significant amounts of asbestos in the soil and neighboring Locust Street Piles and playgrounds and a lagoon sludge in the site. To neutralize the contaminated playgrounds, the polluted playground equipment were removed from the site. Moreover, clean soils were used to reinforce the sides of the piles while construction of security fences was set up around the site. In addition, effective actions were implemented later on which were aimed at improving the ecological conditions around the site. To enhance the investigations and clean-up project, the Site was categorized into 2 separate Operable Units. The remedies that were chosen entailed draining and back filling the lagoons, and installing a semi-permeable cap and surface drainage system on the waste piles. An erosion control device was established on the western slope of the Locust Street, which prevented erosion activities of the stream bank. The previously existing fences were moved and upgraded to curb instances of trespassers and vandalism. This strategy was effective in stabilizing the asbestos piles from wind erosion and precipitation of these asbestos contaminated-piles into the air, which would have posed as a threat to the surrounding public health. The actions selected included enhancement of the current soil covers, implementation of soil erosion measures, and establishing gabion boxes to improve the drainage on the surface. Consequently, to facilitate long-term security of the site, EPA formulated an Explanation of Significant Differences, which required institutional measures to discourage activities that could disengage the integrity of the remedy actions that were applied on the Ambler Asbestos Piles site. In addition to the removal of the playground, 2 other removal responses were enacted in 1985 and 1990 in order to enhance the soil covers, the surrounding vegetation, and improvement of security fences. Specifically, the implementation of the remedial actions was undertaken through a systematic approach. The stagnant water in the filter bed lagoon was filtered and pumped out, which was then followed by the establishment of geotextile and clean soil to enhance effective drainage. The establishment of gabions to protect the Locust Street Pile against scouring of the Wissahickon Creek followed the installation of the geotextile. Sedimentation controls were also implemented during remedial activities, whereas air was monitored for asbestos. Consequently, post closure monitoring, piles maintenance, and settlement of the basin areas were also established. EPA divided the investigation and cleanup process into 2 operational units in order to enhance the effectiveness of the operation. 2 piles and the filter bed lagoon were categorized in the first operable unit while the remaining pile was identified in the second operable unit. The first operable unit focused on improving drainage and erosion control measures. However, the remedy chosen in the second unit dealt with repair and vegetation control strategies. For instance, the remedy actions involved repairing of eroded and exposed areas on the pile slopes, revegetation of Ambler Asbestos Piles site, removing of large vegetation, and restriction of land use by authorized personnel. All these remedial actions were undertaken to reduce the risks of releasing asbestos to the air and exposure to the adjoining community. In order to implement the suggested strategies, EPA negotiated a Consent Decree with the 2 potentially responsible parties, which entailed the parties consenting to implement the selected remedies by EPA management. In 1991, T&N plc was placed with the responsibility of implementing the remedy selected for Operable unit 1. The actions selected involved drainage of the lagoons, construction of erosion-control devices on the western slope of Locust Street Pile. Moreover, T&N plc was responsible for the moving and repairing of asbestos warning signs to prohibit trespassers and vandalism. The company was also required to enhance the integrity of the security fences and pile covers. CertainTeed Company were required to implement the Operable Unit 2, which entailed enhancing the existing soil cover, improve surface drainage by clearing the pile, revegetation of the pile, and installation of gabion boxes (Majumdar & Miller, 1984). The Company also upgraded the old fences and posted hazard signs to prohibit trespassers and vandalism. The implementation of this remedy curbed soil erosion by wind and precipitation. CertainTeed formulated and presented a Post Closure Plan, which ensured the continuity of integration of the fences, gabion boxes, and pile cover. In 1993, EPA submitted a Final Close-out Report which documented the construction and completion of the two operable units. Ambler Asbestos Piles site was officially removed from the National Priorities List in 1996. However, the two operable units still undergo biannual inspections and annual inspections for a maximum of thirty years. For the Operable Unit 1, such inspections include inspection of security gates and fences, inspection of plateau drainage system, inspection of pile sides for damage, inspection of integrity of the piles, inspection of the revetment areas, and inspection of on-Site erosion control measures. Similarly, the remedy action for Operable Unit 2 also entails biannual and annual inspections on a period of between six to thirty years. The inspection measures include inspection of access controls, inspection of erosion controls, inspection of the final cover, and establishment whether the site conditions are viable to release asbestos. Continuous maintenance of the implemented remedies that were constructed at this site is still ongoing as part of an operation and maintenance program. For instance, a maintenance project that dealt with reinforcing of banks that had eroded in the Wissahickon. The eroded banks were reinforced using angular rock, which helped to prevent further erosion from the upstream of the revetment. The 3 five-year reviews concerning the remedies indicated that the Ambler Asbestos Piles site is still protective of human health and adjacent environment. Although the 5-year review of 2007 revealed that Ambler Asbestos Piles site is protected, the site does not have institutional controls to prevent it from future distortions such as erosions. The fourth 5-year review that indicates the remedy actions implemented in Ambler Asbestos Piles site shows that the site is still considerate of human health and the adjacent environment. Works Cited Asbestos. “Asbestos in Pennsylvania.” Asbestos.com. Web. 26 July. 2014. Burke, Richard. “A Bitter Legacy Left By Nicolet Asbestos Waste Stays In Ambler.” philly.com Web. 26 July. 2014. . Majumdar, S., & Miller, E. (1984). Hazardous and toxic wastes (1st ed.). Easton, Pa.: Pennsylvania Academy of Science. Shein Law Center, LTD. “Asbestos a Deadly Legacy in Ambler.” Sheinlaw.com Web. 26 July. 2014. U.S Environmental Protection Agency. “Ambler Asbestos Piles.” U.S EPA. Web. 26 July. 2014. Read More