draft%20 nacct%20 september%2016 %202011

The TVA Kingston Fossil Fuel Plant Coal Fly Ash Release and

Recovery Update

www.epakingstontva.com

Mr. Leo Francendese, USEPA On Scene Coordinator

North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) September 2011

American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT) Occupational and Environmental Toxicology Special Interest Group

1

2

What is an OSC ? What do they do ?

An On Scene Coordinator (OSC) is a position within the federal government that was created by the first National Contingency Plan (NCP) in 1968. Its purpose was to be the lead on scene federal official with authority to direct actions at the scene of an oil spill or release of hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. The position carries presidentially delegated authority to conduct those actions.

Training starts early !!!!

Please enjoy the following 2 minute introduction video

3

The TVA Kingston

Fossil Fuel Plant

4

FILLS IN BERKSHIRE

EMBAYMENT

EMPTIES INTO EMORY RIVER

MAIN CHANNEL

FILLS IN SWAN POND EMBAYMENT

6

7

Emory River

Emory River

Swan Pond Embayment

8

9

Emory River

Swan Pond Embayment

Berkshire (North) Embayment

10

Time Critical Non-Time Critical

0-18 months About 4 years 4+ years

Long Term

Reopen the River & Restore the Land

Non-Time Critical

2.5 Million CYS

Time Critical

3.5 Million CYS

What’s in Coal Fly Ash ?

709.8 (2%) mg/kg Barium 138.7 (<1%) mg/kg Manganese 103.9 (<1%) mg/kg Vanadium 99.4 (<1%) mg/kg Boron 65.0 (<1%) mg/kg Arsenic 63.8 (<1%) mg/kg Copper 57.4 (<1%) mg/kg Zinc 42.2 (<1%) mg/kg Chromium 38.6 (<1%) mg/kg Nickel 20.8 (<1%) mg/kg Cobalt 6.7 (<1%) mg/kg Selenium 5.8 (<1%) mg/kg Beryllium 3.1 (<1%) mg/kg Thallium

90% of coal fly ash is Si, Fe, Al and Ca

11 Concentrations referenced from the Human Health Risk Assessment for the TVA Kingston Site

Why do we care about coal fly ash from a public health perspective at the TVA Kingston Site ? Ingestion exposures ?? - Via drinking water ? - Via recreational water use ? Breathing air exposure ?? It’s NOT driven by a direct contact dermal risk.

12

Examples of Inorganic Concentrations in Coal Fly Ash

Uses an est. of 3.5 million cubic yards of coal ash

(Ash) Element Avg. ppm Est. lbs.

Aluminum 22,700 206 million

Iron 17,961 163 million

Copper 59 536,000

Arsenic 66 600,000 3X

Selenium 6 59,000 6X

(Soil) Element Avg. ppm Est. lbs.

Aluminum 18,905 171 million

Iron 27,304 248 million

Copper 16 150,000

Arsenic 24 213,000

Selenium 1 10,000

Uses an est. of 3.5 million cubic yards of regional soil

Examples of Inorganic Concentrations in Soil

13

Biggest chunk was 30 feet deep and a mile long in

the Emory River

14

May 2009 event

70,000 CFS approx.

100,000 -150,000 CYS

December 2009 event 50,000 CFS

approx. 10,000 to

20,000 CYS

January 2010 event 60,000 CFS approx.

10,000 to 20,000 CYS

Estimates based on USACE sediment transport model and river sampling

The Major Migration Events During the Removal

15

18

Time Critical Water Quality Monitoring AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
















AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

18

19

Non Time Critical Water Quality Monitoring

20

Combined TC and NTC WQ Graphics

20

Kingston Drinking Water Quality Remained Protective of Public Health

Even During High Flow Events

21

Breathing air exposure risk is driven by :

1. Particulate levels

• PM2.5 is the best air quality management tool at Kingston

2. Metals and silica were less of a driving risk factor.

22

Real-time air monitors

• 5 stations

• PM 2.5 & 10

• PS07 is the primary

(highlighted)

• Silica ,metals, PM2.5 and 10 were below levels of concern

23

EPA (SESD) Ambient Air Monitoring Audits

• Quarterly (thru 2010)

• Semi-annual

Perimeter Air

Monitoring

Industrial Hygiene Monitoring

• 800 plus samples taken

to date

• OSHA, TOSHA, NIOSH

and ACGIH standards

are used effectively

• CERCLA based Health

and Safety Program

• Episodically audited by

EPA (ERT); and

• Daily field based Coast

Guard Strike Team

oversight during time

critical phase

Reference Sitewide Safety and

Health Plan for TVA Rev 5

25

Public Health Relevant Results

• Industrial hygiene

• 800+ samples

• OSHA, TOSHA, NIOSH and ACGIH standards were used effectively

• Air quality

• No exceedances of NAAQS in 2 ½ years’ monitoring and 100’s of thousands of measurements.

• Water quality

• ~6,000 river samples, >250,000 water analyses

• The downgradient rivers have had little water quality impact.

• Elevated concentrations for As and Se have been observed in certain areas closer to the release.

26

Human Health Risk Assessment

• Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) exceeded target risk levels (10-6) only for highly improbable scenarios (e.g., on-site residents)

• Non-cancer Hazard Index (HI) only exceeded 1.0 for highly improbable scenarios (e.g., on-site residents)

• Dr John Benitez with TDH will cover the Public Health Assessment and Vanderbilt Medical Center Screenings

27

Time Critical (Phase 1) Operational Accomplishments

• 3.5 million cubic yards removed (90- 95 % recovery)

• May 29, 2010 Emory River reopened

• 4.0 million tons disposed at Subtitle D Landfill in Perry County, AL (completed December 2010)

• Both actions were completed 70% ahead of schedule

• Dike C (1 mile) Buttressing completed August 2011

• Maintained a Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) below industry averages.

• Public health remained protected.

$580,400,000

For further detail on the Time Critical Removal Action, please see the EPA OSC Report for the Time Critical Removal Action at www.epakingstontva.com

28

Total Time Critical Removal Action Cost :

29

Time Critical Non-Time Critical

0-18 months About 4 years 4+ years

Long Term

Reopen the River & Restore the Land

Non-Time Critical

2.5 Million CYS

Time Critical

3.5 Million CYS

Non-Time Critical

About 4 years (2014) Non-Time-Critical

Failed Dredge Cell

• Non-Time Critical Removal Action (Phase 2)

– 2.5 million cys to be removed (Berkshire and Middle Embayment)

– Consolidate ash in reinforced, on-site disposal area

– Construct earthquake protective subsurface perimeter slurry wall (red dashes)

(Commenced July 19,2011)

Berkshire (North) Embayment

90% complete

Middle Embayment

30

Ecological Risk Assessments

• Collection of ecological data began immediately after the release

• Arsenic & Selenium • Bioaccumulation

• Ecotoxicity • Growth

• Reproduction

• Skeletal deformities

• Biogeochemical transformations

• Spread of Ash Downstream • Evaluate impact of 250,000 – 500,000 cubic yards of

residual ash

31

Multiple Organizations

• TVA, ORNL, USACE-ERDC, USFWS, USEPA

• TDEC, TWRA

• Fourteen Universities

• Twenty-one Commercial Laboratory Facilities

• Several National Laboratories

• Several University Research Laboratories

• Establishment of Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) early was a key element of engaging NGOs

32

Ecological Results & Status

• Focus now is on evaluating potential long-term effects of residual ash in the river system

• Evidence of some bioaccumulation of As & Se, but no acute effects observed to date

• Current studies focus on evaluating sub-lethal effects

33

Potential Land Use

• Lakeshore Green Space

• Berkshire Recreation

• Berkshire Embayment Wetlands and Wildlife Conservation Area

Swan Pond Circle Rd.

Berkshire Recreation Area

Lakeshore Green Space

Swan Pond Rd.

Swan Pond Circle Rd.

Wetlands/ Wildlife Observation Area

34

Remember this ??

35

Lakeshore Green Space (Swan Pond Embayment)

Houses removed in this digital enhancement

36

Perspective of Berkshire Embayment Wetlands/ Wildlife Area to Berkshire Recreation Area

37

draft%20 nacct%20 september%2016 %202011

Documents