Norphlet Chemical Inc. (NCI) is located outside El Dorado, AR at the location of the former Macmillan Oil Refinery (a previous Non-NPL Removal Action). NCI is a chemical manufacturing facility in the business of producing a refrigerant (HFC-134A) used in automobiles. The primary raw materials used for producing this product is Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride, Trichloroethylene, and a catalyst. The company attempted to produce the intended product but was unable to do so. In September 2008, the company laid off all of its employees.
EPA became aware of this facility in March 2009 and immediately informed the ADEQ. EPA offered its assistance if deemed necessary by the ADEQ. On April 15, 2009, DHS conducted an Infrastructure Protection Inspection of the facility and was alarmed with its condition and the fact that it was abandoned. On April 15, 2009, DHS contacted EPA about their concerns with the site. The major concern was that the abandoned site had containers of Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride (AHF) and mixtures of AHF, TCE, and intermediate refrigerants. In addition, the condition of these containers were questionable. EPA and DHS contacted State authorities and participated in a call concerning the site. On April 16, EPA received a request from ADEQ to address the situation at the site.
EPA dispatched their START Contractors to begin air monitoring. EPA OSC Jones arrived on-site on Friday, April 17, 2009 and met with Federal, State, County, and City officials and evaluated the site. OSC Jones determined that an Imminent and Substantial Endangerment existed as a result of the abandonment of the facility, the conditions of the tankage, and the close proximity of the school and surrounding residents to the facility. On April 16, 2009, Union County Judge Bobby Edmonds declared an emergency. Because of the emergency order and the close proximity of the site to the school, the school was closed on Friday, April 17.
EPA representative and contractors remobilized to the site on June 29 and conducted response activities through July 2, 2009. During this period, EPA transported a total of 97,440 pounds (approximately 12,000 gallons) of process tank decon/neutralization water to Veolia Technical Solutions in Port Arthur, Texas for disposal.
EPA also transported 540 cubic yards (27 truck loads) of non-hazardous TPH contaminated site soils to Allied Waste landfill in Minden, Louisiana for disposal.
Additional site activities included the discharge of carbon filtered water from four frac tanks into Norphlet's waste water treatment ponds. A total of 69,000 gallons of carbon filtered water was discharged into the treatment ponds.
Transportation tanker trailers (Dana and Kelly trailers) containing HF contaminated liquid wastes are scheduled to begin being shipped off site to Veolia Technical Solutions on July 27th.
One roll-off box containing tote tanks of spent carbon and alumina is scheduled to be transported off site on July 8, 2009. The roll-off box will be shipped to Phillips Services Company in Avalon, Texas for disposal.
11 drums containing TCE contaminated liquid from the Plant Chiller Units were shipped to Herman Chemical; however the material was returned to the site. Disposal arrangements are currently being scheduled.
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