EPA to Conduct Air Monitoring for Asbestos during Coffeyville Demolitions

The Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7, will conduct air monitoring for asbestos during the demolition of 313 oil-contaminated houses in Coffeyville, Kan. Coffeyville Resources purchased the houses under a buyout program it implemented in response to the oil spill and flooding last summer. The company begins demolition work today.

Heavy rains in June caused localized flooding and a rise in elevation of the Verdigris River. During the night of June 30, the Verdigris River overflowed the levee around Coffeyville Kansas. River levels rose rapidly and exceeded the height of the levee by 3.9 feet. Flood waters entering the refinery led to a release of approximately 90,000 gallons of crude oil.

Coffeyville Resources will conduct perimeter asbestos air monitoring during the demolition project and will remove asbestos as required by the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants regulations. EPA will collect independent samples at approximately 10 percent of Coffeyville Resources’ sampling locations to confirm the company’s air monitoring data.