Halaco engineering
| Halaco Engineering, Co., Metal Recycling Facility | |
|---|---|
| Superfund site | |
| Geography | |
| City | Oxnard |
| County | Ventura County |
| State | California |
  | |
| Information | |
| CERCLIS ID | CAD009688052 |
| Contaminants | aluminum, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, cesium-137, chromium, copper, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, potassium-40, silver, thorium-228, thorium-230, thorium-232, zinc |
| Responsible parties | 6 |
| Progress | |
| Proposed | 03/7/2007 |
| Listed | 09/19/2007 |
| List of Superfund sites | |
Halaco Engineering (Halaco) operated a nonferrous metal recycling facility at 6200 Perkins Road, Oxnard, Ventura County, California. The facility includes a smelter area west and the Waste Management Unit (WMU) east of the Oxnard Industrial Drain (OID). Attention was brought to the Halaco site through illegal waste disposal without permits. Further investigation yielded a recognition of harmful contaminants. All operations at Halaco ceased in 2004. In 2007, remediation of surrounding contaminated areas was completed, including the wetlands. Restoration of the wetlands and management of the WMU are ongoing.
History
The Halaco Superfund Site is a 43 acre scrap metal recycling facility that operated primarily to process aluminum and magnesium metals from 1965 to 2004. The site is located adjacent to the Pacific Ocean beach and on both sides of the Oxnard Industrial Drain (OID), which flows through a perennial beach lagoon and wetlands into the Pacific Ocean. Prior to 1970, Halaco discharged wastewater into the Oxnard Industrial Drain (OID) and a small lagoon on the smelter property. In 1971 a waste management unit (unlined earthen evaporation pond) was constructed. Dumping of hazardous waste into this area has resulted in contamination of surrounding areas, including soils, groundwater, as well as uncontrolled emissions of ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter. Coastal wetlands which are home to endangered species including the snowy plover and the California least tern, as well as fisheries in the adjacent Pacific Ocean have been affected by zinc, lead, ammonia, and arsenic. Halaco ended operations at the property in 2004. An estimated 700,000 cubic yards of waste remain onsite. [1]
Contamination
The waste pile and associated surface impoundment currently contain approximately 500,000 cubic yards of waste. Preliminary site contamination investigations have revealed a combination of several metals and radionuclides, including aluminum, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, silver, zinc, cesium-137, potassium-40, thorium-228, thorium-230, and thorium-232. The culmination of these wastes led to contaminated air, groundwater, and soil risks. All of these factors caused minor concern for the well-being of nearby residents. On September 19, 2007, the State of California placed the Halaco Metal Recycling Facility on the California Hazardous Waste Priority List. [2]
Remediation
The EPA identified 6 companies as waste contributors, labeling them as Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs).
The assessment consists of the following measures:
- Surface and subsurface gamma radiation survey via down-hole gamma radiation monitoring
- Collection of surface and subsurface soilds and soil samples using a Geoprobe with a MacroCore
- Collection of groundwater samples using temporary wells
In April 2007, coir matting was installed around the Waste Management Unit in order to prevent erosion of contaminated soils. Additionally, a 6 foot barbed wire fence perimeter was constructed around the WMU.
As of June 5, 2007, 11 sample holes and 3 background holes were installed. Ongoing monitoring occurs by scanning for metals using the Niton XRF and the Smith Detection System HAZMAT ID to screen for other chemical contaminants. If other contaminants are detected, those samples will be submitted for laboratory analysis. [3] [4]
Timeline
- 1965: Halaco began operating metal reclaiming facility.
- 1969: Obtained a Radioactive Materials License to handle magnesium-thorium alloy scrap.
- Pre-1970: Wastewater was discharged into the Oxnard Industrial Drain (OID) and a small lagoon on property.
- 1971: Existing unlined earthen evaporation pond (WMU) constructed.
- 1977: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers served a Cease and Desist Order for Halaco to stop dumping solid material into the wetlands.
- 1980: USEPA issued an enforcement order under the Clean Water Act stating that the disposal site was a wetland and required a NPDES permit for operation.
- 2000: Oxnard Fire Department served search warrant for illegal disposal of oil.
- June 2000: LARWQCB estimated that 430,000 cubic yards of waste material present in WMU at thicknesses varying from 20 to 40 feet.
- September 2002: Halaco ceased discharging into the QMU in response to LARWQCB's Cease and Desist Order; began implementing filter press to process waste material.
- June 2003: Permit to discharge into sewer terminated; sewer discharge ceased.
- Late-2003: Filter cake deemed improperly stored by LARWQCB; Halaco issued cleanup order due to threatened impact on Ormond Beach and wetlands, Oxnard groundwater, and the OID; DHS issued order to characterize radioactive material.
- 2004: All Halaco process operation ceased, all employees fired, and filtercake and baghouse dust sent to La Paz Landfill in Arizona for disposal.
- 2006: Assessment of site conducted and completed by EPA Emergency Response Section.
- February 2007: EPA began stabilization action of the Halaco site in an effort to control runoff and windborne contaminants into surrounding wetlands and OID.
- March 2007: EPA closed Ormond Beach Wetland access due to discovery of elevated levels of alpha radiation and waste process solids in the wetlands; thorium wastes removed and transferred to WMU.
- April 2007: Erosion control of coir matting installed and a 6' barbed wire fence erected around perimeter of WMU.
- September 2007: Site listed on the National Priority List.
- March 2008: Removal operations completed.
Health Effects
In the 1990s, nearby community members complained of an acrid smell coming from the waste pile, air emissions turning into acid clouds and noxious fumes, and skin irritation. CDPH also reviewed the available health information related to the possible health effects caused by the Halaco contamination. This review includes information on asthma, cancer, birth defects, low birth weight, and preterm births for communities more likely exposed to contaminants from Halaco in the past. [6]