Document gbEgE1rEeVnkkbZj72MBE5jKq

ABD00133316 CONDEA Vista Company Highway 25 Aberdeen, Mississippi 39730-0091 (601) 369-8111 February 15, 1999 CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Z 559 721 820 Mr. Mohammad Yassin, PE Mississippi Department ofEnvironmental Quality Office ofPollution Control P. O. Box 10385 Jackson, MS 39289-0385 CONDEA Dear Mr. Yassin: As required by 40 CFR, Section 61.65 (a), this letter provides the details of a release of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) from CONDEA Vista Company's Aberdeen, Mississippi PVC plant. At approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 31, 1999, an operator switched slurry filtering equipment. A valve on the filter was not closed resulting in a release of vinyl chloride to the atmosphere. The release was approximately 200 pounds. The filters are used to remove oversize material from the unstripped slurry. There are two sets of filters in parallel. One set can be cleaned while the other set is in service. Apparently, after cleaning, the out of service set was not properly prepared for service. The responsible operator was disciplined. An investigation team is currently looking at the feasibility of automating the valves and/or providing position indication to prevent similar incidents in the future. During the release and response activities, the area downwind of the release was monitored for vinyl chloride and no indications of significant quantities of vinyl chloride were detected beyond plant boundaries. The National Response Center was notified ofthe release. Although there were no off-site impacts due to the release, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency was notified as a courtesy. Sincerely, Kenneth G. Akins Environmental Manager P.O. Box 91 Aberdeen, Mississippi 39730-0091