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EPA ISSUES ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER TO THE FLURA CORPORATION IN NEWPORT, COCKE COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Release Date: 04/3/2000
Contact Information: Dawn Harris, EPA Media Relations, 404-562-8421

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it has issued a second Administrative Order in accordance with Section 7003(a) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to Flura Corporation in Newport, Cocke County, Tennessee. This is the second Order due to the hazards posed by Flura Corporation's continued operation of its facility, and its failure to comply with RCRA and the first Order issued by EPA on June 17, 1999. The order requires Flura Corporation to immediately cease operations at the facility until such time that it can demonstrate to EPA's satisfaction that it is in compliance with RCRA and all other applicable environmental regulations. The first Order directed Flura Corporation to take steps to mitigate an imminent and substantial endangerment to health and the environment associated with the management and releases of solid and hazardous wastes and hazardous constituents from the facility. Since the first Order was issued, EPA and TDEC have visited the site on numerous occasions and observed that Flura Corporation continues to store thousands of containers holding raw materials, intermediate chemicals, chemical products, and unknown chemicals which are corroded, rusted, decayed and show evidence of leaking. Flura Corporation also is improperly storing incompatible materials which creates an explosive and combustable hazard. Flura Corporation is a synthesizer of fluoridated bromine compounds, and uses a large volume and variety of chemicals in its operations, including a variety of gases in canisters and tanks. The chemicals include acids, caustics, flammable liquids, oxidizers, reactive compounds, volatile organic compounds and halogenated compounds.