Abstract |
The 440-acre Avtex Fibers site is located in Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia. The Avtex Fibers site has produced rayon fibers since 1940, polyester between 1970 and 1977, and polypropylene since 1985. During this 48-year period, byproducts from the rayon manufacturing process were disposed of in onsite surface impoundments. These byproducts included sodium cellulose xanthate-based viscose and zinc-hydroxide sludge. Fly ash (from incinerator exhaust air pollution control devices) and boiler house solids were disposed of in five other surface impoundments. Land disposal of viscose waste ceased in 1983; since that time, the waste has been routed directly to an onsite wastewater treatment plant. In 1982, carbon disulfide, a constituent of viscose waste, was identified in ground water samples from residential wells located across the Shenandoah River from the site. In response to the results of a ground water investigation, Avtex implemented interim measures, which included purchasing 23 subdivision properties on the west side of the river that had contaminated domestic wells, and initiating a ground water pump and treatment program. The primary contaminants of concern affecting the ground water are phenols, and metals including arsenic and lead. The selected remedial action for this site is given. |