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Westlake Vinyls reported that as much as 1,500 lbs of Benzene and 600 lbs of Napthalene were released from a flare stack at the while the stacks were being cleaned with an alcohol solution. KYDEP reports that material has pooled up on site; however, the material released was a combination of benzene/naphalene mixed with an alchohol cleaning solution. KYDEP responded.
EPA OSC Kevin Turner (Region 5) responded to oversee responsible party lead clean up.
Facility's response contractor, Jeseco, worked during the night and morning hours to collect the material using three vac-trucks. Facility has deployed adequate resources to address the release. No material left the Westlake Vinyl property boundary.
Air monitoring indicated that benzene levels exceeded PELs for a small area around the flare tower. In all other areas, the concentrations were all at or below 1 ppm for benzene. Around the flare tower (i.e. hot zone) the levels of benzene remained around 7 or 8 ppm. In this area the workers were required to wear a respirator (cartridge) as they were cleaning up the pooled liquid and removing contaminated gravel. The benzene levels were decreasing as the day wore on and as more and more liquids were picked up. By the end of the day, the only area of concern that required continued regular air monitoring was around the base of the flare tower.
The facility has sampled spilled material to determine the ratio of alcohol to benzene and napthalene.
As of 1300 May 8, 2008, all personnel were accounted for and no one was injured; 85% of the pooled liquids were recovered: the "hot" zone continued to be reduced in size; long term planning discussions occurred; and written surface water run-off control plans are in draft. At this point, the emergency phase ended, and KYDEP assumed primary oversite.
Response contractor will continue to collect spilled chemicals and to remediate contaminated soils.
Westlake Vinyls will send a plan that addresses stormwater issues to KYDEP Water Division.
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