EPA Monitoring Information
Port Kembla Copper Stack Demolition:
20 February 2014
EPA monitoring summary
•
The stack fell within the intended drop zone on the Port Kembla Copper (PKC) premises.
•
Dust moved offsite and some of the dust cloud drifted over a portion of the residential
area of Port Kembla to the south east and out to sea.
•
Dust appeared to be confined to within and close to the Exclusion Zone.
•
The dust collected in the EPA dust deposition tubs outside of the Exclusion Zone was
very small. The main metals present in the dust were typical of cement dust and other
naturally occurring materials (e.g. soils) and the levels of heavy metals were low.
•
Data from the ‘Real time’ dust monitors showed particulate levels were variable and the
dust plume was typically of short duration (less than 2 minutes). The entire dust cloud
cleared the industrial and residential areas after about 10 minutes. The dust levels (PM10
and PM2.5) recorded by the EPA’s High Volume Air Samplers were below the relevant
national air quality standard.
•
The main metals present in the collected dust from the High Volume Air Samplers were
typical of cement dust and other naturally occurring materials (e.g. soils).The levels of
heavy metals (for example arsenic, copper and lead) collected over 24 hours were low.
•
The maximum peak overpressure level recorded upon detonation was 3 dBL higher than
the limit of 120 dBL. The maximum noise level contribution was only marginally (2 dBA)
higher than the limit of 60 dBA.
•
The ground vibration levels recorded outside the exclusion zone were well below the
approval limits.
Stack demolition
The demolition of PKC’s 200-metre stack was scheduled to occur on 20 February 2014
between 8:45 and 11:00 am subject to final clearances being provided by the NSW Police
and the demolition contractor (Precision Demolition). The actual demolition of the stack
occurred at approximately 11:16 am. The delay was due to extra time required to secure the
300-metre Exclusion Zone and prepare the stack for explosive felling.
At approximately 11:16 am Precision Demolition fired the explosives at the base of the stack.
In the first few seconds the stack dropped vertically by about five metres and then slowly
began to fall in a NW direction. The stack remained in one piece for approximately 20
seconds until it passed a 45 degree angle from the vertical. At this point the stack cracked at
approximately the midpoint and a small portion of the top of the stack detached. The entire
stack hit the ground approximately 24 seconds after the explosives were first fired. The stack
fell within the intended drop zone on PKC’s premises.
EPA monitoring
The EPA (with the assistance of the Office of Environment and Heritage) undertook air
quality and noise/vibration monitoring at a number of locations within Port Kembla outside
the Exclusion Zone. The intent of the EPA monitoring was not to replicate the extensive
monitoring undertaken by Port Kembla Copper. The monitoring was undertaken to provide
1
some independent information and an additional level of reassurance to the community on
some parameters. This monitoring included:
•
three air quality monitors for PM10
•
three air quality monitors for PM2.5
•
two real time ‘Dust Mates’ monitors
•
four dust deposition trays
•
four noise/vibration monitors
Attachment A contains a map showing the locations of the EPA’s air quality and
noise/vibration monitoring. The EPA did not undertake asbestos monitoring on the day.
Specialised asbestos testing (both airborne and deposited dust) was undertaken at several
locations during and immediately after felling by independent environmental consultants
engaged by PKC and observed by WorkCover NSW officers.
Visual observations
The movement of the dust cloud was monitored using both aerial (PolAir) and land-based
video footage. The EPA undertook video recordings at three locations (sites at Cement
Australia, Morgans Cement and Reservoir Street).
Two distinct dust clouds were identified as a result of the demolition. The first occurred at the
base of the stack upon detonation of the explosives and quickly rose to a height of
approximately 30 m after about 10 seconds. The second dust cloud occurred moments later
when the stack hit the ground. The cloud generated was the length of the stack. Eventually
both dust clouds combined into a single cloud. The dust cloud was initially dense visually
and larger than that anticipated by PKC. During its dispersion, the dust cloud rose to a height
of approximately 200 m.
The wind direction at the time carried the dust cloud mainly over the industrial area to the
east and out to sea. However, some of the dust cloud drifted over a portion of the residential
areas to the south-east; including Reservoir Street and Gallipoli Park areas. The
approximate area the dust cloud travelled across is identified on the map in Attachment A.
The area was estimated using visual observations/inspections and video footage taken on
the day.
The dust cloud was roughly bounded by Military Road to the south and half way along
Gloucester Boulevard to the north and cleared the industrial and residential areas after about
10 minutes. Once the stack had been felled, the EPA also undertook visual inspections of
the area over which the dust cloud travelled. It was determined that any deposited dust
appeared to be confined to within and close to the Exclusion Zone, downwind of the stack,
centred around the old Port Kembla Primary School site.
High volume air sampler/continuous monitoring
The EPA installed two PM10 and two PM2.5 high volume air samplers (HVAS) around the
stack to monitor air quality within the residential area. Two continuous monitors were also
installed at a residence in Third Avenue, one for PM10 (Tapered Element Oscillating
Microbalance (TEOM)) and one for PM2.5 (Beta Attenuation Monitor (BAM)).
This monitoring was conducted in accordance with the relevant standards over a 24-hour
period to allow comparison with recognised air quality goals. The PM10 and PM2.5 levels
recorded at all the sites were below the relevant national air quality standard for PM10 (50
micrograms per cubic metre) and advisory goal for PM2.5 (25 micrograms per cubic metre).
Both are based on a 24-hour average. A copy of the results is attached in Attachment B
and a summary is provided in Table 1.
2
Table 1: High volume air sampler and continuous sampler PM10 and PM2.5 results
Mass
concentration
3
(µg/m )
24 hr
standard/
3
goal (µg/m )
Wentworth Avenue, Port Kembla
14.9
25
PM2.5
Brody Street, Port Kembla
16.2
25
20-Feb-14
PM10
PKC Darcy Rd Port Kembla
19.3
50
201400325
20-Feb-14
PM10
Fire station, Military Rd, Port
Kembla
20.5
50
Continuous
20-Feb-14
PM2.5
Third Avenue, Port Kembla
(BAM5014i)
6.7
25
Continuous
20-Feb-14
PM10
Third Avenue, Port Kembla
(TEOM1405)
5.7
50
Sample
number
Sample
date
Size
selectiv
e inlet
201400322
20-Feb-14
PM2.5
201400323
20-Feb-14
201400324
Site description
The main metals present in the collected dust included calcium, magnesium, aluminium,
sodium, potassium and iron. These are typical of cement dust and other naturally occurring
materials (e.g. soils). While there are no short-term ambient air quality goals for these
metals, the levels of heavy metals (for example arsenic, copper and lead) collected by the
HVAS over 24 hours were low. They were also below the EPA’s impact assessment criteria
as outlined in the EPA’s Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessment of Air
Pollutants in NSW. A copy of the results is in Attachment B.
The 24-hour average PM10 and PM2.5 results for the continuous monitors were lower than the
24-hour averages recorded by the HVAS due to rain overnight. Due to the sampling
methodology of these instruments, the monitors are affected by moisture from rain or high
humidity. Correlating results with HVAS data is more accurate over long-term trends where
more data points can be compared.
Table 2 shows the maximum PM10 and PM2.5 levels recorded (1-minute average) by the
continuous monitors at this location during the demolition (between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm).
Table 2: Continuous monitoring at Third Avenue, Port Kembla (maximum levels)
Parameter
Maximum level (measured as micrograms per cubic metre)
PM10
11.4
PM2.5
3.1
Real time particle monitoring (Dust Mates)
The EPA installed two real time dust monitors (Dust Mates) downwind of the stack (near
Metal Manufactures and Vesuvius) during the demolition. The information from these dust
monitors is not directly comparable to recognised air quality goals. This is because the air
quality goals (PM10 and PM2.5) are based on a 24-hour average and a different approved
sampling method. The information from these monitors is, however, useful in providing real
time information on the characteristics of the dust cloud, including its dust profile and
duration.
The monitors were deployed at around 8 am and collected approximately five hours later.
The deployment of these monitors was based on the expected wind direction and timing of
the felling. These monitors record total suspended particles (TSP), PM10, PM2.5 and PM1
levels in real time. The unit of measure is micrograms per cubic metre. The data from these
monitors showed particulate levels were variable and the plume was typically of short
duration (less than 2 minutes). The graphs for both locations are in Attachment C.
3
Table 3 shows the maximum dust levels at the monitor located near Metal Manufactures
which was in the path of the dust cloud.
Table 3: Dust Mate monitor located near Metal Manufactures (maximum levels)
Parameter
Maximum level (measured as micrograms per cubic metre)
TSP
399.7
PM10
187.3
PM2.5
20.7
PM1
3.06
Table 4 shows dust levels (1-minute averages) at the monitor located near Metal
Manufactures (measured as micrograms per cubic metre).
Table 4: Dust Mate monitor near Metal Manufactures (1-minute averages)
Time
TSP
PM10
PM2.5
PM1
11:16
26.0
13.4
2.0
0.3
11:17
25.9
13.7
2.3
0.4
11:18
67.6
32.8
4.5
0.6
11:19
43.8
23.9
3.1
0.5
11:20
57.3
32.0
4.2
0.7
11:21
42.6
22.3
3.2
0.6
11:22
32.5
14.4
2.2
0.4
11:23
26.1
13.6
2.6
0.5
11:24
230.1
114.5
13.4
2.1
11:25
96.6
42.1
4.8
0.8
11:26
25.2
15.1
2.7
0.4
Table 5 shows the 15-minute average dust levels at the monitor located near Metal
Manufactures (measured as micrograms per cubic metre)
Table 5: Dust Mate monitor located near Metal Manufactures (15-minute averages)
Time
TSP
PM10
PM2.5
PM1
11:00
17.5
10.5
2.1
0.3
11:15
53.0
26.7
3.8
0.6
11:30
65.1
34.2
3.3
0.5
11:45
25.6
14.9
2.5
0.4
12:00
23.1
12.9
2.3
0.3
Dust deposition monitoring
The EPA monitored dust deposition using four plastic tubs. These were deployed at around
8 am and collected approximately five hours later. The deployment of the tubs was based on
the expected wind direction and timing of the felling. Two tubs (tubs 2 and 3) were located
directly downwind of the dust cloud while the other two tubs (1 and 4) ended up to the north
of the cloud due to the change in wind direction at the time of demolition (See map in
Attachment A).
4
The dust collected in the EPA dust deposition tubs was very small. A copy of the results is in
Attachment D. The maximum quantity of deposited material was found in tub 3 being 18
milligrams. Based on the tub surface area, this equates to a maximum of 63 mg/m2. The
quantity of material deposited in tubs 1, 2 and 4 was less than 2 milligrams. Due to the very
small amount of sample available for analysis, this made it difficult to analyse the sample for
metals accurately. With the exception of tub 3, the reporting limits (limits of detection) had to
be increased to obtain a result. This is why some results are reported as ‘less than’ a
particular value.
The main metals present in the collected dust included aluminium, calcium, iron and
magnesium. As stated above, these are typical of cement dust and other naturally occurring
materials (e.g. soils). While there are no air quality standards to allow direct comparison, the
levels of heavy metals, for example arsenic, copper and lead, were low.
Dust sample collection
Post demolition, the EPA undertook an inspection of the residential area over which the dust
cloud travelled. During this inspection, two samples of white dust were collected close to the
intersection of Reservoir Street and Electrolytic Lane. This was located inside the exclusion
zone and in close proximity to the base of the stack (within 20-30 m).
A copy of the results is in Attachment E. The dust was found to contain cement dust and
matched a reference library spectrum of cured cement and a reference sample of cement.
As with the other dust samples collected, the main metals present in the collected dust
included aluminium, calcium, iron and magnesium. These are typical of cement dust and
other naturally occurring materials (e.g. soils). While there are no air quality standards to
allow direct comparison, the levels of heavy metals, for example arsenic, lead and copper,
were low.
Noise/vibration monitoring
During the demolition, the EPA undertook noise/vibration monitoring at four locations outside
the exclusion zone and at points within or just outside the grounds of potentially affected
residential boundaries. A copy of the results is in Attachment F. The noise, ground vibration
and overpressure limits identified in PKC’s Project Approval and Environment Protection
Licence apply to the minimisation of annoyance and discomfort to persons at noise sensitive
sites (for example residences, hospitals, schools, etc.) caused by noise from industry and
ongoing blasting (for example at mines and quarries).
The ground vibration levels recorded outside the exclusion zone were well below the
approval limits for both the detonation and ground impact. The limit was 10 mm/s and the
highest reading was less than 2.5 mm/s. This was recorded at the St Patricks Presbytery in
Kembla Street. The other three monitors were less than 1 mm/s. A different instrument setup
was used at the Presbytery and there was a lot of fluctuation in the vibration levels. Vibration
levels, however, did not exceed 2.5 mm/s during the interval of the detonation and impact.
The maximum peak overpressure level recorded upon detonation was 123.2 dBL. This was
recorded in Third Avenue and was 3 dBL higher than the limit of 120 dBL.
The maximum Leq(15-minute) noise level contribution (dBA) from the stack demolition (including
detonation and impact) was 62 dBA. This was only marginally higher than the limit of 60 dBA
and was recorded in Reservoir Street. This location, however, recorded the lowest
overpressure.
Weather conditions
On the day of demolition the weather was fine and sunny. According to the Bureau of
Meteorology sites at Bellambi and Albion Park, approximately 4-6 mm of rain fell across the
region in the preceding 24 hours.
5
Data from the Port Kembla signal station showed that between 6:00 and 11:00 am the wind
fluctuated predominantly from the west to west-south-west. The average speed was
approximately 7 km/h with a maximum of about 12 km/h. At around 11:00 am, just prior to
the felling, there was a slight wind shift to the WNW which remained for the duration of the
demolition. The wind speed around the time of the stack felling was approximately 9 km/h.
The wind then tended to return to the west to west-south-west.
The wind data from the Port Kembla Signal Station is in Attachment G.
EPA 2014/0297
March 2014
6
Attachment A: Map
4
1
2
3
EPA Dustmate sites
EPA Dust sample
EPA Dust deposition trays
EPA noise/vibration sites
EPA PM10 HVAS sites
PKC Exclusion Zone
EPA PM2.5 HVAS sites
Estimated Dust Plume
EPA Continuous PM10 & PM2.5 site
7
Attachment B: High volume air sampler monitoring
PM10 and PM2.5 results
Sample
number
Sample
date
Size
selective
inlet
201400322
20-Feb-14
201400323
Site description
Filter
number
Initial
weight
(g)
Final
weight
(g)
PM
weight
(g)
TSP
(mg/filter)
Mass
concentration
3
(µg/m )
PM2.5
Wentworth Avenue, Port Kembla
0410293
2.67189
2.69420
0.02231
22.3
14.9
20-Feb-14
PM2.5
Brody Street, Port Kembla
0410259
2.66466
2.68884
0.02418
24.2
16.17
201400324
20-Feb-14
PM10
PKC Darcy Rd Port Kembla
0410258
2.64249
2.67134
0.02885
28.8
19.29
201400325
20-Feb-14
PM10
Fire station, Military Rd, Port
Kembla
0410260
2.65689
2.68748
0.03059
30.6
20.46
Continuous
20-Feb-14
PM2.5
Third Avenue, Port Kembla
(BAM5014i)
-
-
-
-
-
6.7
Continuous
20-Feb-14
PM10
Third Avenue, Port Kembla
(TEOM1405)
-
-
-
-
-
5.7
24 hour standard
24 hour advisory goal
50
PM10
25
PM2.5
Metals analysis
Sample number (total results including blank filter)
Units
EPA assessment
criteria (see note
below)
201400322
201400323
201400324
201400325
ug/m
3
15.384
15.384
13.377
18.728
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
4.767
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
0.048
ug/m
3
0.154
0.094
0.107
0.107
4.767
Beryllium
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
0.002
Cadmium
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
0.010
Calcium
ug/m
3
22.072
28.761
22.072
28.761
Chromium
ug/m
3
0.014
0.019
0.011
0.016
0.048 / 4.767
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
4.767
Aluminium
Antimony
Arsenic
Barium
Cobalt
8
Comments
24hr Ave
Chromium VI/Chromium III
ug/m
3
0.008
0.010
0.011
0.031
Iron
ug/m
3
0.736
0.736
0.803
0.936
Lead
ug/m
3
0.000
0.000
0.004
0.007
ug/m
3
0.011
0.010
0.009
0.013
ug/m
3
4.682
4.682
4.013
ug/m
3
0.021
0.019
ug/m
3
ND
ug/m
3
Phosphorus
ug/m
3
Potassium
ug/m
Selenium
Silicon
Copper
1.960 / 9.533
Copper fumes / copper dust and mist
0.5
Annual criteria
6.020
95.330
Magnesium oxide fume
0.023
0.033
9.533
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
0.074
0.067
0.074
0.094
3
0.669
0.602
0.468
0.602
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
ug/m
3
0.803
0.468
0.669
1.003
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
ug/m
3
1.739
1.538
1.940
2.140
ug/m
3
0.261
0.261
0.194
0.261
Sulfur
ug/m
3
0.120
0.127
0.207
0.214
Thallium
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
Tin
ug/m
3
ND
ND
ND
ND
Titanium
ug/m
3
0.207
0
0.127
0.074
ug/m
3
0.015
0.014
0.013
0.019
ug/m
3
0.154
0.127
0.247
0.140
Lithium
Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Silver
Sodium
Strontium
Vanadium
Zinc
0.095
0.953
9.533 / 47.665
Zinc chloride fume / zinc oxide fume
Note: ‘ND’ means ‘Not detected’
‘EPA assessment criteria’ refers to Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants in New South Wales. The hourly average impact assessment criteria
specified in this document have been converted to a 24-hour average criterion to match the sampling period.
9
10
11
Attachment C: Dust Mate (near Vesuvius)
12
13
14
15
Attachment C: Dust Mate (near Metal Manufactures weighbridge)
16
17
18
19
Attachment D: Dust deposition monitoring
Tub
no.
Sample
date
Site address
Sample
weight
Site description
(mg)
1
20-Feb14
Darcy Rd
Near PKC's
HVA04 monitor
2
20-Feb14
Gloucester
Blvd
3
20-Feb14
4
20-Feb14
Lab ID
Tub
surface
area
Sampling
2
2
mg/m
period
(m )
0.1
201400304 0750–1255
0.285
0.35
MM's weigh
bridge
2
201400305 0758–1305
0.285
7.02
Gloucester
Blvd
MM's car park
18
201400306 0810–1307
0.285
63.16
Darcy Rd
100m east of
Darcy Rd drain
1
201400307 0735–1250
0.285
3.51
20
Tub number
Units
1
2
3
4
Aluminium
mg/kg
IS
16000
8100
25000
Antimony
mg/kg
IS
<390
<40
<750
Arsenic
mg/kg
IS
<260
94
<500
Barium
mg/kg
IS
<1700
<170
<3200
Beryllium
mg/kg
IS
<13
<1.3
<25
Boron
mg/kg
IS
<1400
<150
<2800
Cadmium
mg/kg
IS
<66
<6.6
<120
Calcium
mg/kg
IS
100000
45000
62000
Chromium
mg/kg
IS
220
25
<250
Cobalt
mg/kg
IS
<92
16
<180
Copper
mg/kg
IS
6600
5900
5900
Iron
mg/kg
IS
28000
35000
56000
Lead
mg/kg
IS
650
190
<500
Lithium
mg/kg
IS
<260
<27
<500
Magnesium
mg/kg
IS
11000
8100
30000
Manganese
mg/kg
IS
1300
990
5200
Molybdenum
mg/kg
IS
<260
<27
<500
Nickel
mg/kg
IS
<390
<40
<750
Phosphorus
mg/kg
IS
960
2000
3000
Potassium
mg/kg
IS
<2600
420
<5000
Selenium
mg/kg
IS
<390
130
<750
Silver
mg/kg
IS
<66
<6.6
<120
Sodium
mg/kg
IS
2400
910
4500
Strontium
mg/kg
IS
<2000
<200
<3800
Sulfur
mg/kg
IS
4800
1600
8100
Thallium
mg/kg
IS
<130
<13
<250
Tin
mg/kg
IS
<390
<40
<750
Titanium
mg/kg
IS
1400
2700
2000
Vanadium
mg/kg
IS
160
230
520
Zinc
mg/kg
IS
13000
740
5900
Note: ‘IS’ means ‘Insufficient sample’
The reporting limits (limits of detection) had to be increased to obtain a result. This is why some results are
reported as ‘less than’ a particular value.
21
Attachment E: Dust sample collection
Sample
no.
Lab ID
Sample date
1
201400309
20-Feb-14
Reservoir St, Port Kembla (Otto Bin)
16:40
2
201400310
20-Feb-14
Reservoir St, Port Kembla (White car)
17:10
Site description
Time of sample
Units
Sample 1
Sample 2
Aluminium
mg/kg
16000
18000
Antimony
mg/kg
<64
7
Arsenic
mg/kg
590
700
Barium
mg/kg
<280
82
Beryllium
mg/kg
<2.1
0.6
Boron
mg/kg
<240
<11
Cadmium
mg/kg
18
19
Calcium
mg/kg
160000
180000
Chromium
mg/kg
35
35
Cobalt
mg/kg
<15
10
Copper
mg/kg
2300
1700
Iron
mg/kg
26000
28000
Lead
mg/kg
590
800
Lithium
mg/kg
<43
5
Magnesium
mg/kg
2900
3000
Manganese
mg/kg
430
400
Molybdenum
mg/kg
<43
5
Nickel
mg/kg
<64
18
Phosphorus
mg/kg
380
450
Potassium
mg/kg
740
840
Selenium
mg/kg
700
910
Silver
mg/kg
<11
2.4
Sodium
mg/kg
1800
1800
Strontium
mg/kg
<320
120
Sulfur
mg/kg
7300
7900
Thallium
mg/kg
<21
<1.0
Tin
mg/kg
<64
58
Titanium
mg/kg
1100
1000
Vanadium
mg/kg
39
46
Zinc
mg/kg
1800
2500
22
Notes:
A spot test for carbonates was positive.
The FTIR spectrum obtained matched the reference library spectrum of cured cement and a reference
sample of cement.
The sample was found to contain cement dust.
The sample was a heterogeneous mixture of solid particles 50-400 micron in size.
23
Attachment F: Noise/vibration monitoring
Site
no.
Sample
date
1
20-Feb-14
Kembla St, Port
Kembla
2
20-Feb-14
3
4
Noise
Ground vibration
Noise contributions
(dBA)
Peak overpressure
(dBL)
Peak vector sum
(mm/s)
Calculated Leq(15-minute)
Sound
level
meter
Detonation
Impact
Detonation
Impact
Ngara
datalogger
Public verge outside of residential
property
114
129.3
0.104
0.7
53
55
Kembla St, Port
Kembla
Front yard at St Patricks Presbytery
120
122.9
<2.5
<2.5
57
56
20-Feb-14
Third Ave, Port
Kembla
Front yard of residential property
123.2
127.4
0.23
0.95
57
57
20-Feb-14
Reservoir St,
Port Kembla
Front yard of residential property
103.1
110.5
0.66
0.38
62
Nil result.
Site address
Site description
Project Approval/Licence Limits
120
24
10
60
Attachment G: Wind data – Port Kembla signal station
25