New Castle, Delaware

Chlorine Plant Site History

THE FACILITY

This property consists of a former manufacturing area covering approximately 20 acres, several former waste lakes and landfills totaling approximately 13 acres, and marshlands totaling approximately 215 acres. The former chlor-alkali facility was built in 1964 by Diamond Alkali Company to manufacture chlorine, hydrogen, sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide. In 1986, 14 years after opening, a chlorine plant bought the facility and continued operating as a chlor-alkali facility from 1986 – 2005. In November 2005, the plant ceased production of chlorine and began the demolition process. Decommissioning and demolition of most of the plant structures was completed in 2007 and 2008

The primary contaminants still present in the soils, surface water, sediments, and groundwater are volatile organics such as benzene, chlorobenzene, vinyl chloride and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); and heavy metals such as mercury.

Currently we are currently investigating claims of potential mercury contamination to both people and property as a result of various plant operations. These operations utilized thousands of pounds of elemental mercury to produce chlorine and other products.  

OPERATIONS

There have been approximately 24 cell chlorine manufacturing facilities in the United States. During the chlor-alkali manufacturing process these facilities utilized hundreds of tons of mercury in order to produce chlorine gas. In this process, mercury is used as a transport mechanism and production agent in the production of chlorine. Usually this process is a closed system. Increased risks occur during upset conditions, such as maintenance, decommissioning, and plant demolition. Mercury vaporizes at room temperature and can cause harm through multiple pathways including through inhalation. Unintentional releases can introduce toxic vapor into communities as well. Often employees and contractors that work at mercury cell chlorine plants can unintentionally bring mercury contamination home to their families. This can happen from bringing dirty clothing or materials to the home or to vehicles.

EPA FINDINGS

“Based on the findings set forth in a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI), EPA has determined that past operations at the Facility have resulted in soil, groundwater, sediment and surface water contamination.”

From: EPA RCRA CORRECTIVE ACTION September, 2011,

“The HHRA considered the following current and future exposure scenarios:

• Current industrial worker direct contact with surface soil.

• Future industrial or construction worker direct contact with subsurface soil.

• Future industrial or construction worker inhalation of volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors from indoor air.

These exposure scenarios were evaluated to a target risk level for Cancer Risk of 1x10-5 and a Hazard Index of 1. Based on the HHRA, EPA determined that the Key COCs may exceed these target risk levels at some areas of the Site.”

For the most current EPA site status and plant history, visit Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Occidental Chemical Corporation in New Castle, Delaware