On February 1, 2010, local sewer department and local health department received numerous complaints from residents of VOC odors in their basements. The departments brought PIDs to measure air levels in basements. Elevated levels of total VOCs were detected in basement sumps and in the breathing zone.
The local departments then took a measurement of a manhole of the sewer system near the Nuplex Resins facility and detected 7% LEL.
Facility reported an overflow of the process wastewater tank containing Acetone, Toluene, Xylene, and MEK. The amount released was approximately 125 gallons
On February 2nd, KDEP called OSC Art Smith to address air levels at the facility during the cleanup. OSC Smith required the cleanup workers to upgrade to Level C since air levels exceeded recommended limits for unknowns. The facility is digging a French-drain to a collection point to keep future releases from entering the sewer system.
OSC Smith will return to the facility on February 3rd to inspect the mitigation efforts.
