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Cyanogran Drum Gothenburg

 
Site Contact:
Doug Ferguson
OSC

(ferguson.doug@epa.gov)

Site Location:
1st Avenue and 5th Street
Gothenburg, NE 69138
 scribenet.response.epa.gov/cyanograndrum

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) requested assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 to assess an abandoned drum on a residential property in Gothenburg, Nebraska.  The drum was labeled "Cyanogran" and was suspected to contain sodium cyanide for hunting use by a former owner. The drum was observed and reported by the new property owner.

An EPA Region 7 On-Scene Coordinator (OSC), along with state and local responders, sampled the steel drum and confirmed it contained about 10 pounds of degraded sodium cyanide. The sodium cyanide-containing drum was resealed, overpacked, and transported to a secure location in Gothenburg. The drum was transported to a disposal facility on October 3, 2023, and no further EPA actions are planned for the site.

A 55-gallon blue polyethylene drum with a small quantity of acid was neutralized with baking soda during EPA Region 7's removal actions and remains on the reporter's property since it is no longer classified as a hazardous waste.


Shed containing drums listen to the left, building walls at the bottom and door unable to close due to shifted building. Shed with 35 gallon steel drum behind the 55 gallon poly drum prior to entry A path was cleared throught the clutter in the shed to bring drums out of the dilapidated structure for safer opening and assessment. NDEE entry team with START backup team. START Team detects hydrogen cyanide gas at a max concentration of 35ppm in the head space of the black steel drum labeled Blue 55 gal poly drum labeled hydrochloric acid test positive for corrosive (acid vapor and acid solution) consistent with hydrochloric acid solutions. Crews overpack 35 gallon steel drum which was determined to contain cyanide. About 30 pounds of white powder tested positive for cyanide using the test in the field screening kit and Raman on the GeminiTM as well as detection og hydrogen cyanide vapors in the head space of the drum. pH paper showing the hydrochloric acid solution was neutralized.. Raman results showing the white material in the black drum contains sodium cyanide Drum was placed in the far southeast corner of the Nebraska Department of Transportation facility in Gothenburg, NE pending disposal arrangements. The facility is fenced and has a locked gate.