Omark Caribbean Incorporated

Other (Former) Names of Site: None

EPA Identification Number:	PRD090038092
Location:	88-90 Street D, Minillas Industrial Park, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
EPA Contact:	Jesse Avilés, 787-977-5882, aviles.jesse@epa.gov
Last Updated:	August 2007
Environmental Indicator Status:	Human Exposures Under Control [PDF 39.05 KB, 15 pp] has been verified. Groundwater Contamination Under Control [PDF 50.17 KB, 16 pp] has been verified.

Site Description

Omark Caribbean, Inc., a subsidiary of Oregon Saw Chain Division, is located at 88-90 Street D, Minillas Industrial Park in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. According to a topography map, the Rio Bayamon is located approximately 500 feet from the facility. The facility is bounded to the northeast by Street E., to the northwest by Banda Fria, Inc., to the south by an unnamed creek embankment, to the east by Novoa Manufacturing Forms, Inc., and to the west by Street D.

The manufacturing operation began on May 3, 1965, and ended on October 4, 1985. Omark manufactured saw chains used in power chain saws to cut trees. Omark was also involved in the electroplating and metal finishing processes. Metal parts were stamped, heated, treated, chrome plated, ground and cleaned. Following these processes, chain part components were assembled and packaged. The Omark facility included several departments used in the manufacturing processes:

Tool and Die Department
Chrome Plating Department
Chrome Treatment Area
Punch Press Department
Heat Treatment Department
Automatic Assembly Department
Parts Washing Department
Maintenance Shop and Tool Department
Warehouse; Electrochemical Milling Department
Parts Washing
Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located adjacent to the Bayamon River.

Site Responsibility

Cleanup at this site was addressed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the authority of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). However, the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board (EQB) participated with EPA in cleanup decision-making and oversight. No Consent Order was signed. The facility has interim status. Corrective action activities were conducted voluntarily.

Threats and Contaminants

The sources of contamination at the facility were identified during the Remedial Action Investigation (RAI) in lieu of a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) to determine the nature and extent of contamination; to remove and remediate contaminated soils from all identified solid waste management units (SWMUs), and area of concerns (AOCs); and to remove and remediate contaminated sediment from an unnamed creek, and an embankment. The result of the investigation concluded that contaminations were found in soil beneath the SWMUs, and contaminated sediments were found in an unnamed creek, and an embankment. The major contaminants were trivalent chromium (Cr+3 ), hexavalent chromium(Cr+6 ); activated charcoal and spent oils; chromic hydroxide solution, chrome duct deposits, washwaters, chrome plate resins, electrochemical milling deposits; spent 1,1,1-trichloroethane; still bottoms 1,1,1-trichloroethane; filter cake from electroplating; chromic acid solution; mercury (Hg) liquid metal; reagent 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA); washwaters; and ferric chloride and lead.

CLEANUP APPROACH

Cleanup Status/Corrective Action

The site was cleaned-up by the Company, under EPA and EQB oversight in three measures:

The clean closure of the container storage area;
The closure of the concrete storage tank and;
A remedial action investigation of the solid waste management units (SWMUs), an unnamed creek, and of an embankment.

Response Action Status

Interim Corrective Measures

Soil and sediment remedial actions were completed on July 24, 1996. In accordance with the Remedial Action Plan Report, all contaminated fill materials, soils, and sediments which were identified at all solid waste management units (SWMUs), areas of concern (AOCs), unnamed Creek, and embankment were decontaminated, excavated and removed. Final excavations and soil removal activities were undertaken at the surface and subsurface soils in the areas of all SWMUs and AOCs.

Reported analytical results revealed that total chromium concentration, which was the primary hazardous waste of concern, and other concentrations of contaminants, was below background levels, and/or action levels. Subsequent to the excavation and removal of contaminated soil and sediment from the affected areas, all SWMUs were repaired and covered with new concrete. A determination of "No Further Action" was recommended by EQB for all SWMUs, AOCs, the unnamed creek; and the embankment.

Site visit performed by EQB on February 19, 1991 confirmed that all excavated and decontaminated areas were repaired and covered with new concrete.

Closure of Container Storage Area and Concrete Storage Tank

The Container Storage Area was clean closed on June 16, 1989. The concrete storage tank had protective filer status and was not subject to RCRA regulation. At closure, the concrete tank was demolished as part of the decontamination phase. The equipment was dismantled, remediated and disposed off-site with the rest of hazardous wastes generated during the treatment activities. Contaminated soils, sediments, and materials were removed, and remediated to background level. A "No Further Action" determination is required at this point.

Cleanup Progress

Groundwater beneath the site was not characterized. There is an existing on-site groundwater well which is approximately 185 feet in depth. The well, which is located behind the Tool and Die Department, was used for cooling air compressors and boiler, and for rinsing steels parts.

Groundwater samples were collected from the on-site groundwater well in March, April and May 1985, respectively. Reported analytical results reveal that the concentration of several parameters including total chromium (Cr+6 ), lead (Pb) and barium (Ba) were below the maximum concentration limit (MCL).

The nearest off-site groundwater well is located approximately 1 mile North in Santa Rosa and belongs to the PRASA.

Surface Water has not generally been investigated. An unnamed creek is located at the south end of the fence out-side the Omark's property boundary. The unnamed creek flows directly to the Bayamon River. Sediment sampling indicated that run off or spilled originating from Omark operations in the past had drained into the unnamed creek.

Permit Status

Omark Caribbean did not have a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit for its container storage area and concrete storage tank system. The facility submitted a Part A Permit application on November 19, 1980 and amended it in 1985. Omark ceased operation in 1985 instead of submitting a Part B Permit application. The container storage area was clean-closed on June 16, 1989. The concrete storage tank was later determined to have protective filer status during the same year.

Site Repository

Copies of supporting technical documents and correspondence regarding RCRA cleanup and RCRA Closure activities at the Omark Caribbean facility are available for the public review at the following location:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
RCRA Records Center
290 Broadway, 15th Floor, Room 1538
New York, New York 10007-1866
Phone (212)637-3043

The inspection of some of the documents cited in the site fact sheet may require a formal request under the United States Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).