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CEN'IRALVALIIVEGIONALWATER QUALWCONTROLBOARD INSPECTION REPORT 17 May 1991 DISCHARGER: CITY OF TRACY LAND TREATMENT FACILITY LOCATION & COUNTY: TRACY, SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY CONTACT(S) : PAUL VERMA INSPECTION DATE: 2 MAY 1991 INSPECTED BY: ROBERT EVANS ACCOMPANIED BY: -- OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS: The purpose of the inspection was to verify that no volatile petroleum hydrocarbon components (specifically benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX)) were present in the soil contaminated with heavy bunker oil . Although a significant amount of analytical work has been done to characterize the soil , no analytical testing had been done to determine if any BTEX, gasoline, or diesel were present. Based on previous information, I collected four grab samples, one each from the following cells: Cells 3, 7, 19, 20 (see Attachment 2) . The samples were analyzed using EPA 8020 and Modified EPA 8015 to determine what type of hydrocarbons were present in the soil as well as if there were any volatile components present in the soil (see Attachment 3) . A summary of the sample results (see Attachment 1) indicates that the samples taken from Cells 3 and 20 do not contain any volatile hydrocarbons. However, Cells 7 and 19 contained hydrocarbons in the diesel range at 575 and 4760 ppm, respectively. Toluene was present in Cells 7 and 19 at 3 and 73 ppb, respectively. Xylene was present in Cells 7 and 19 at 48 and 914 ppb, respectively. While collecting the sample from Cell 7, I noted a very strong hydrocarbon odor emanating from the sampling area. Subsequently, I began to have a headache. Since I was only in the cell for a few minutes collecting the sample, personnel working for an extended period of time with the contaminated soil may be exposed to high levels of hydrocarbons present in the air. Additionally, a 2 August 1989 Harding Lawson Associates report (submitted to our office after the inspection) recommended that workers use protective clothing to prevent dermal contact and a Certified Health and Safety Officer monitor air emissions to insure that workers are not overexposed to hydrocarbons. Therefore, I recommend that all personnel working at the site wear protective clothing to prevent dermal contact. Additionally, air monitoring with a Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI) to measure levels of hydrocarbons or oxygen should be used during work periods. Also, a CGI should be used to insure that the soils to be used as fill do not contain any volatiles or elevated levels of hydrocarbons before being removed from the site.