In a small South Carolina town, the Mt. Holly plant of Century Aluminum recently found itself at the centre of the Goose Creek community concerns.
It all began with a malfunction in the plant's baghouse, which emitted a fine, sandy material known as alumina dust into nearby neighbourhoods. The initial discovery of this issue on September 3 sent the plant into immediate action.
Bob McAlister, the spokesperson for the Mt. Holly plant, stated that Century Aluminum had been "working around the clock" to address the problems that resulted in these emissions. He mentioned their collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) as they tackled the two issues that had caused this unique event.
Their dedicated team, consisting of nearly sixty internal personnel and external contractors and experts, took on the task of "descaling" the emissions system and replacing the collector bags that captured the troublesome alumina dust. These comprehensive efforts stabilised their emissions process and returned them to normal operations.
But it wasn't an easy journey. Initially, the plant had just one employee addressing the issue, but as the problem persisted, this number grew to 12 workers who were on the job around the clock. Dust emissions escaped the plant again on September 16 and September 30, leaving residents in the surrounding neighbourhoods frustrated. They complained of finding a sandy, gritty substance on their cars and outdoor belongings.
DHEC quickly reassured the community by confirming that the alumina dust wasn't hazardous. They also deployed portable air sensors in the area to monitor the presence of particulate matter, with a focus on "fine particulate matter" that could be breathable.
Throughout this challenging period, Century Aluminum maintained open lines of communication with the concerned community. They set up a website and established a hotline for residents to report their problems and to stay informed about the situation. Residents were encouraged to share their personal experiences and concerns to help the plant address the ongoing issues.
Century Aluminum has been dedicated to resolving the problems that led to these emissions, and its efforts have shown significant progress. The first phase of improvements has been completed, promising a reduction in potential future excess releases. They have set their sights on preventing further emissions and have cooperated fully with the DHEC in their ongoing procedure. While the journey has been filled with challenges, it is also a story of dedication, cooperation, and a community coming together to ensure a cleaner and safer environment for the Goose Creek community.
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