| Abstract |
The 440-acre Avtex Fibers site is a former synthetic fibers manufacturing facility in Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia. A section of the site lies within the 100-year Shenandoah River floodplain. The plant produced rayon (1940-1989), polyester (1970-1977), and polypropylene fibers (1985-1989). Until 1983, the by-products, including sodium cellulose xanthate-based viscose waste and zinc hydroxide sludge, were disposed of onsite in unlined surface impoundments or landfills. Subsequently, the waste was routed to an onsite wastewater treatment facility. Fly ash (fromincinerator exhaust air pollution control devices) and boiler house solids were disposed of in four other surface impoundments. In 1982, a State investigation identified carbon disulfide, a constituent of viscose waste, in residential wells located across the river from the plant. In 1983 and 1984, in response to the result of the investigation, Avtex implemented interim measures to address the ground water contamination by purchasing 23 subdivision properties in the area with contaminated ground water. The ROD addresses the removal of PCB-contaminated soil, breakdown of the acid reclamation facility, and the disposal of drummed wastes thought to contain oils, bases, acids, solvents, and PCBs. |
