EPA Region 4 responded to an anhydrous ammonia leak at the Harcros Chemical facility on Phelps Road in Dalton, Ga. As EPA arrived on site, Dalton Hazmat personnel were conducting air monitoring activities within the facility in Level A. Immediately after the release, ammonia levels as high as 500 ppm were recorded downgradient of the facility near Route 41 necessitating a 1/4 mile evacuation and road closure. Harcros hired Hepaco out of Chattanooga, Tenn to assist with the release.
The OSC met with Dalton Hazmat Incident Commander and Operations Chief to review the specifics and status of the release. The release was estimated to be between 30 and 100 gallons from a production tank during an off-loading procedure. Plant personnel speculated that a sensor malfunctioned during ammonia transfer resulting in an overflow of a production tank. Once the operator recognized the release, all transfer valves were shut off and the leak was secured.
The majority of the ammonia (95%) immediately vaporized and the resulting plume initially migrated off site but quickly dissipated. A small amount of the release, approximately 5%, was captured in the facilities storm water system and washed to a retention pond on site. Harcros notified Dalton WWT facility to inform them of the spill. The resulting plume cloud of ammonia migrated to low areas along Route 41 in Dalton.
The OSC met with the Harcros Plant Manager and requested that the facility give Dalton Hazmat Incident Commander and Ops Chief periodic updates through out the response to insure proper response efforts. The OSC offered and Dalton Hazmat requested federal air monitoring support through out the day to assure the local community that the release was secured and that no residential areas or other facilities were affected.
EPA START contractors arrived on site at 1600 hours and quickly provided the OSC with ammonia levels at several locations around the facility and surrounding roadways. By 1700 hours no significant ammonia levels were detected but minor levels were detected downgradient at the end of Phelps Road, approximately 800 yards from any facility. The area of the release was primarily industrial and no homes or schools were found within 1/4 mile of the facility. EPA Start contractors continued air monitoring until 2200 hours at which time no elevated levels of ammonia were detected.
No further actions are anticipated. Harcros Chemical plans to inspect and replace sensor indicators in its anhydrous ammonia tanks as necessary.
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