Omega Chemical Corporation

Omega Chemical Corporation
Company type	Private
Industry	Chemical recycling
Founded	1976
Defunct	1991
Headquarters	Whittier, United States
Products	Refrigerants and solvents (recycled)

The Omega Chemical Corporation operated as a refrigerant and solvent recycling enterprise in Whittier, California from 1976 until 1991. Due to inadequate waste management practices, the site suffered soil and groundwater contamination, leading to its designation as the Omega Chemical Superfund Site. Remediation activities commenced in 1995, involving the removal of hazardous materials and installation of a costly soil vapor extraction system.

History

At its Whittier location, Omega Chemical handled hazardous waste primarily consisting of hydrocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons, recycling these substances into commercial products. Contamination arose from leaks and improper containment, resulting in the presence of volatile organic compounds and metals at the site. Following the discovery of thousands of hazardous waste drums and contaminated cylinders, cleanup operations began under EPA oversight in 1995. A CERCLA administrative order mandated remediation, prompting the creation of the Omega Chemical Site PRP Organized Group, which successfully removed over 4,000 contaminated drums and performed comprehensive soil and groundwater toxicity assessments.

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)

Tetrachloroethylene is widely utilized in dry cleaning and degreasing processes and is identified by the Department of Health and Human Services as a probable carcinogen.

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Trichloroethylene functions as a solvent for cleaning metals and can persist in groundwater if released. Prolonged exposure through polluted drinking water may lead to liver and kidney damage, developmental issues in fetuses, immune system impairment, and an increased cancer risk.

Freons

Freons refer to chlorofluorocarbon compounds employed as refrigerants and aerosol propellants. According to the EPA, extended exposure to low concentrations is unlikely to result in significant adverse health effects.

Risks

Although much of the Omega site is covered with concrete paving, direct contact with soil presents minimal risk except for workers involved in construction activities. The main hazards include exposure to soil vapors and contamination of groundwater moving southwest from Whittier, posing a threat to nearby drinking water wells. Elevated levels of toxic vapors have been detected within several surrounding buildings.

Cleanup Efforts

In 2009, the EPA introduced a remediation plan focused on mitigating vapor intrusion, direct exposure risks, and contaminant spread. This approach employs Soil vapor extraction wells designed to extract and treat harmful vapors from soil above the water table, thereby preventing further pollution of groundwater sources.

References