Various local and state agencies involved in the response and cleanup will provide an update on the release and its consequences. There will be brief presentations by the MassDEP, the Mystic River Watershed Association and others, with time for questions from the audience.
Garballey’s report
Meanwhile Rep. Sean Garballey, Democrat of Arlington, posted the following to Facebook:
“By the end of Sunday, the total oil recovered now stands at about 6,800 gallons; however, this does not include what may have been volatilized product (evaporation) and does not include oil-saturated boom material, which is estimated at several hundred more.
“Sun and heat of the day from Saturday and Sunday aided cleanup and served to enhance evaporation. The rain from late at night into Monday morning will flush out the storm drains. This water-oil, or emulsified oil, is collecting in the booms and being recovered via absorbents.
“In addition, air quality monitoring done by the DEP FAST vehicle showed levels of volatile organic compounds to be low .3 to .5 parts per cubic centimeter. (For comparison sake this is the same level you would find in someone’s basement who heated with oil, it was detectable as an odor but not a health problem).
“Cleanup crew will continue to monitor any increased oil presence or pockets of oil that may be flushed out by the rains, and if necessary recovery with skimmers or absorbents if that is warranted. Depending on observed impacts by the rains or lack thereof, over the next 24 hours, we’re beginning to give thought to set up for continuation of monitoring and cleanup while allowing for some river traffic to resume.”
Clean Harbors is overseeing the cleanup under the supervision of the state Department of Environmental Protection.
A 65-year-old Framingham man was driving the tanker. He sustained serious injuries in the crash.
Aftermath: InsideMedford photos >>
This story was published Thursday, June 6, 2013.
