Hokko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Discharge of Wastewater Containing Benzene from Our Okayama Plant (Third Report)
Published the third report on the incident in which wastewater containing benzene was discharged from the Okayama plant. Reports progress in identifying the cause, implementation status of measures to prevent discharge and address groundwater, and recurrence prevention measures. Impact is undetermined, but recurrence prevention and environmental measures are being strengthened.
Key Figures
- Benzene: 1.5～4.6 mg/L (discharge standard 0.1 mg/L)
- Toluene: 23.7～37.3 mg/L
- Xylene: 12.1～22.4 mg/L
- Groundwater countermeasures: Consideration of barrier pumping wells, planned borehole survey, target for completion of countermeasure construction March 2027
AI要約
Overview of the Incident and Current Status
This report is the third update on the incident in which wastewater containing benzene was found to be discharging near the seawall foundation at Yoshiura Coast in front of the Okayama plant. The discharged substances are benzene, toluene, and xylene. The incident was discovered on July 14, and investigations since July 17 have identified locations that may be the source of the discharge. Potential causes include deterioration of the drainage pit at Plant No. 6 and defects in the drainage channel and cracks in buried piping at Plant No. 7. Additional investigations will be conducted to further identify the cause.
Recurrence Prevention, Environmental Measures, and Operational Impact
To prevent further discharge, the affected plant's operations have been suspended and waste liquid removed from the drainage pit. Groundwater pumping and well monitoring have been implemented and continue, and water quality surveys are ongoing. Flow paths around the seawall have been sealed and new discharge prevention measures confirmed. To prevent spread of groundwater contamination, a borehole survey will be conducted and consideration given to barrier pumping wells, with the target to complete countermeasure construction by March 2027.
Hokko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
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