Document MJzvR1m2qqoZk4Gxwqz0NzXRL

AMERICAN CYANAMID COMPANY ________ AZUSA PLANT The Azusa Plant is one of Cyanamid's oldest domestic production facilities. The plant originated as the OWL Fumigating Company, in the early 1920's, to manufacture pesticides for agricultural use in the citrus groves located in the surrounding area. Cyanamid acquired the property In 1934. . The Azusa Plant is located In the northeastern section of Los Angeles County, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Southern California. The'plant site has 60 acres of land, of which 14 acres are occupied with buildings and manufacturing units. The plant is easily reached by the Freeway System, and has adequate railroad spurs served by the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1941 under a Federal Government contract, Cyanamid manu factured HCN/chloride bombs which were stored for possible use during World War II; however, the war ended before any of the bombs were used. The manufacturing facilities have since been demolished and the building foundations are all that remain.. The Resins Plant and Warehouse were constructed in 1947, to produce alkyd and coating resins. In 1952, production of polyester resins was started. The facilities were expanded in 1955 to produce butylated urea and melamine coating resins. A further expansion of polyester manufacturing facilities in 1972 increased the capacity of polyester to 38 million pounds per year. Because of market conditions, the production, of polyester and coating resins was terminated in 1976.' Presently, these facilities are idle. The Animal Feed Department began In 1957 and was responsible for serving the two main functions of reducing infections and promoting growth for poultry and livestock. The oper ations were terminated in 1981. The Animal Feed facilities remain today idle. . 0217 The Azusa Plant is part of the Catalyst Department of the Chemical Products Division, and has over 26 million dollars of capital investment. The plant started manufacturing hydrotreating catalysts for the petroleum industry in 1972. Two years later, the plant was turned over to the Catalyst Company, a partnership of Cyanamid and Japan Catalytic International, to produce Aero-Ban auto exhaust catalysts used by General Motors in catalytic converters. In 1979* when new, improved oxidation catalysts were added to the product line, the plant's capacity was Increased. The following year Azusa was further modified to produce new three-way auto exhaust catalysts. In addition to the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons removed by oxidation catalysts, the three-way catalyst reduces level of nitrogen oxide in the exhaust. ' In mid 1981, production of auto exhaust catalysts was stopped, and a major portion of the existing auto exhaust catalyst facilities were immediately adapted to the production of hydrotreating catalysts, while maintaining the capability to serve the automotive markets. The plant started hydro treating catalyst production in July 19 8l. If the plant were fully utilized, its capacity would be 14 million pounds per year. The Azusa Plant is also a warehouse and distribution center for the other Chemical Group products marketed in Southern California, such as Water Treatment and Paper Chemicals, Coating Resins and Enhanced Oil Recovery Chemicals. Products: Hydrotreating catalysts used by the refineries to remove sulphur and nitrogen compounds from crude oil prior to making gasoline. Plant Population is 56 people with an annual payroll approaching 1.3 million dollars and property taxes amounting to $176,000. Safety and Industrial Hygiene: The Azusa Plant has a comprehensive safety and hygiene program that provides a safe, healthful working environment with 'complete training covering safe working methods, and provides personal pro tective equipment to our employees while performing their work. 0218 The Plant has received safety awards for its performance from the National Safety Council over the past five years. Unfortunately, this outstanding record was interrupted in March 198-4, with a lost time injury after working without disabling injuries for over 1,425,000 man-hours. ' Environmental Control: The plant is in full compliance with State and Federal Regulations concerning water discharge and air emissions. Air pollution abatement facilities were $ , .installed in the Catalyst Plant in 1980, at a cost of 700 000 All waste materials at this location, that were in the past Identified by the State Environmental Authorities as a source of concern, have all been excavated and disposed of at a State approved site. ` A hazardous waste management program has been implemented that meets the regulations of the Federal Resource Conserva tion and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA), and the State of California Department of Health Services. Emergency Capabilities: The plant has emergency procedures in place, with employees trained in their use. The procedures include the following: Emergency Shut Down Instructions Emergency Evacuation Alarms And Procedures Plant Wide Provisions for Agency Notifications and Outside Assistance. Notification of the police, fire department and appropriate government agencies through ` the 911 emergency phone system. Even though the plant is operating 5 days a week, the property is .fenced- and continuously protected by a guard service with key personnel available by radio paging. 0219