The Metalor (formerly AMI Doduco)(PR) manufacturing facility located at Road 992, km 0.3, Lot #2 Luquillo, PR has two (2) aboveground storage tanks (10,000 gallons and 8,000 gallons) located on the south side of the facility that are used to store liquefied anhydrous ammonia.
The facility was left abandoned over one year ago when they decided to close up business, leaving behind 3000 gallons of anhydrous ammonia which was only monitored for security purposes with cameras remotely from the US Continental, spefically Pensylvannia were the parent company remains in operation.
Due to arseny EPA was contacted as well as the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board when during the Police Department investigation the 2 tanks were discovered partially full.
On July 17, 2012, after several months awaiting the arrival of a container from the US, the local, state and federal government representatives met to discuss the contingency actions to be taken during a planned transfer of the ammonia from the facility tanks. It was discovered then during the meeting's site visit that an active uncontrollable ammonia release was taking place from both tank valves. An immediate response action was taken to address the release which was only slowed down until July 19, 2012 when the actual tranferringof ammonia began.
