City Oxnard State California Responsible
parties 6 | County Ventura County CERCLIS ID CAD009688052 | |
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Contaminants aluminum, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, cesium-137, chromium, copper, lead, magnesium, manganese, nickel, potassium-40, silver, thorium-228, thorium-230, thorium-232, zinc | ||
Halaco Engineering Co. operated a scrap metal recycling facility at 6200 Perkins Road, Oxnard, Ventura County, California from 1965 to 2004. The state placed the facility on the California Hazardous Waste Priority List in 2007. 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. Remediation of surrounding contaminated areas including the wetlands was completed in 2007. Restoration of the wetlands and management of the WMU are ongoing.
Contents
History
The Halaco Superfund Site is a 43 acres (17 ha) nonferrous metal recycling facility that operated primarily to process aluminum and magnesium metals from 1965 to 2004. The site is located on both sides of the Oxnard Industrial Drain (OID), which flows through a perennial beach lagoon and wetlands adjacent to Ormond Beach that extends from Port Hueneme to the northwestern boundary of Navy Base Ventura County, at Point Mugu. The degradation by dumping and agricultural uses dates back to the founding of Oxnard with the placement of the outfall from five mile long pipeline serving the sugar beet processing plant that operated from 1899 until 1959. The area has been attractive to industrial uses with an 11 acres (4 ha) containerboard mill facility opening in 1955 immediately adjacent to the north along Perkins Road. The City of Oxnard Wastewater Treatment plant is west, across the street with an electrical generating plant, that began commercial operation in 1971, just downcoast on the beach.
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.
Contamination
The waste pile and associated surface impoundment currently contain approximately 700,000 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.
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. The California Department of Public Health 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.
Remediation
The EPA identified 6 companies as waste contributors, labeling them as Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs).
The assessment consists of the following measures:
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.
The EPA removed two structurally unsafe buildings in 2010 but squatters, drugs and graffiti continued to be problem. By 2014, the remaining brick buildings were at risk of immediate collapse due to fires so the city stepped in an demolished them after the removal of asbestos.