AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL FIRE RESPONSE & REMEDIATION

AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL FIRE PROBLEM

An agricultural chemical plant was ignited by an arsonist containing over 11,000 pounds of pesticide and herbicide inventory in Central, Illinois. Phosgene, cyanide, chlorine, fluorine, oxides of nitrogen, and isocyanate toxic corridors were projected using a model presented by Mark Ryckman to the National Transportation Research Board.  Estimated evacuation corridors and shelter-in-place zones were used by local authorities. A city evacuation of residents and nursing home patients were sheltered-in-place.

Samples of the fire runoff water were collected and analyzed and found to contain: Teflon, Sutan, Surflan, Paraquat, N-Serve, Lorsban, Lasso, Eradicane, Flurloe-Chloro IPC, Furadan, Lorox, Lexone, Blades, Amiben, Dyanap, Amiben, Dyanap, Aatrex Alfa-tox, B 1088, Banvel K, Bassagran, and Randox.

AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL FIRE REMEDIATION SOLUTION

Site remediation measures implemented included:

1. Emergency construction of a 300,000 gallon temporary treatment basin for stream runoff from fire fighting operations.

2. Emergency bench-scale treatment evaluated included granular activated carbon filtration, hydrogen peroxide oxidization, alkaline hydrolysis, and powdered activated carbon (PAC) addition.

3. A PAC dosage of 1,000 mg/l resulted in self-clarified water without turbidity and removal of burn residues containing organophosphates, carbamates, and furadan.

4.  Post pond treatment samples were run prior to release that confirmed effluent quality prior to release