EPA orders Fallon Air Station to improve handling of hazardous chemicals

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1999 | 9:07 a.m.

The agency has ordered base officials to improve its documentation of jet fuel and other toxic chemicals and make preparations in the event of a chemical emergency, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported Wednesday.

"This is more than a paperwork violation," said Lauren Volpini, EPA program manager in San Francisco. "If you don't know what your chemical inventory is, you are unable to prevent risks and the information is not available for emergency response teams.

"The community has the right to know what the chemical risks are."

Anne McMillin, spokeswoman at Fallon NAS, said the hazardous chemicals involved, with the exception of jet fuel, are common household items. She said the air station is adjusting its procedures to comply with the environmental regulations.

"For us, the clock started ticking in February when we received the notice of violation," McMillin said. "We've got the answers they need."

EPA officials in February sent the notice of violation to Capt. D.A. Rogers, Fallon NAS commanding officer, and set a deadline at the end of this month for the Navy's response.

But the agency said the formal notice was sent as a last resort and came after years of EPA requests, warnings and assistance.

"They still have significant problems with their ability to respond to emergency problems," Volpini said. "Emergency response preparation and procedures remain a concern."

In 1997, EPA investigators and state and local emergency response and hazardous materials officials toured the air base and complained about a lack of information concerning hazardous and toxic materials kept there.

McMillin said those chemicals aren't exotic and don't include explosives and bombs, which aren't covered by EPA regulations.

"We're talking about stuff that's in my garage and your garage," she said. "It's fairly benign stuff like pool chlorine, propane, vehicle gas, oil, latex paint and (fire-fighting) foam."

But investigators said the chemicals are a known danger, especially in large quantities. They said the chemicals were not inventoried and information about them wasn't shared with emergency crews.

EPA documents indicate base officials made some changes after concerns were raised two years ago, but most of the violations remain unresolved, the newspaper said.

McMillin said the EPA has agreed to extend the deadline for compliance to September.

"It will be settled to their satisfaction," she said.