Document zzRLXg2RVK7LY3DyX9JwVqVjm

ABDOO133265 CONDEA Vista Company Highway 25 Aberdeen, Mississippi 39730-0091 (601)369-8111 April 7, 1998 CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED P 280 055 425 Mr. Mohammad Yassin, PE Mississippi Department ofEnvironmental Quality Office of Pollution Control P. O. Box 10385 Jackson, MS 39289-0385 CONDEA m&mi T Dear Mr. Yassin: As required by 40 CFR, Section 61.65 (a), thi$ letter provides the details of a release of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) from CONDEA Vista Company's Aberdeen, Mississippi PVC plant. At approximately 3:50 p.m. on April 6, 1998, an operator disconnected a railcar from the vinyl chloride unloading system. The unloading valve on the railcar was not completely closed resulting in a release of vinyl chloride to the atmosphere. The release was approximately 800 pounds. The release was detected by a gas detection system that immediately set off the deluge system in the unloading area. After the initial attempts by the operators failed to stop the release, an in-plant response team was able to secure the valve and stop the release. 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 of the release. Although there were no off-site impacts due to the release, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency was notified as a courtesy. A number of plant employees were identified as having the possibility of exposure to vinyl chloride and were offered follow up medical surveillance as required by the OSHA Vinyl Chloride Standard. Sincerely, Kenneth G. Akins Environmental Manager P.O. Bo< 9! Aberdeen, Mississippi 39730-0091