CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is now investigating complaints about a white dust produced by an aluminum plant that has caused complaints and worries for Goose Creek residents.

Alumina dust is a gritty substance people who live near the Mount Holly Century Aluminum Plant say coats vehicles, plants, mailboxes and anything else outside in areas across Goose Creek. It is produced during the smelting process but is not supposed to leave the plant, a problem DHEC is now looking into.

The Mount Holly aluminum smelter has been operating for more than 40 years. But some neighbors say it is recent emissions from the plant that they’re not getting answers about, making them worry about their health.

“It looks like someone has taken baby powder and just shook it all over the cars,” Jackie Davis Pfister, who lives in Goose Creek, says. “It’s gritty. It’s baking into our cars.”

Davis Pfister says this entire process has just been a nightmare and says she’s not the only one who is frustrated. There are multiple posts on Facebook that have garnered hundreds of comments about the same thing.

“It needs to be more addressed than it has been,” Goose Creek resident Marilyn Leegette says. “I wish DHEC would send out some kind of hazard report so people can make themselves educated about what this can do to them.”

DHEC confirmed agents have been to the facility and in the community to gather information as part of their investigation. They say they are working closely with the facility to develop an immediate corrective action plan.

Jonathan Brown, Century Aluminum’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager, confirmed that Century believes the emissions may be caused by an unusual failure in the plant’s baghouse. The plant is not 100% sure of the reason for the failure, but are looking at two potential possibilities. One is that a recent change of suppliers for the filters in the baghouse took place, and Century knows that on three occasions a very small portion of the bags failed. The second possibility is recent episodes of high pressure in the bag house.

Brown says Century is working diligently to address these emission issues.

On Monday, Century confirmed they had four “events.” One happened on Sept. 3, two on Sept. 16 and another on Sept. 30. Century says the issue will be fixed by Oct. 17.

But those in the community are worried about their health with some people reporting problems like rashes and difficulty breathing.

“It’s very concerning for me,” Leegette says. “I believe honestly that if there are short-term effects that are showing, there has got to be long-term effects as well.”

“If we could just know what type of air we’re breathing: Is it dangerous to us? I think we just want to know the answer,” Davis Pfister says.

DHEC says alumina dust is not considered a hazardous substance. The particle size of the dust being seen in the community is large and therefore too big to enter human lungs; however, it can still irritate skin, eyes, and the nose, and can be a respiratory irritant after prolonged exposure.

DHEC has also deployed portable air sensors in the area to measure any smaller, breathable particulate matter, called “fine particulate matter.”

DHEC says it’s important to know that the data will represent all particulate matter in the area, not just from a single source or single facility. There can be many different sources of particulate matter emissions within an area. The data from these sensors will help the agency identify any air quality trends in the community.

After an inquiry into the issue, the city of Goose Creek set up a town hall meeting with Century Aluminum and DHEC representatives for Monday at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Mayor Greg Habib will moderate this discussion, which will include questions from attendees. Experts in toxicology, air quality and public health from DHEC will join Century Aluminum leaders who will discuss the issue of excess emissions at the plant, and the plan to fix this problem.

Century says they have set up a website where residents should report their personal situation. They can also call a hotline number at 312-696-3131.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD) – Several Goose Creek residents say they are concerned about a powder-like substance that has appeared on vehicles and outdoor furniture over the past several days.

One neighbor who lives in the Persimmon Hill community described the substance as being sandy, gritty, and dust-like being emitted and traveling by air.

“Is it toxic, harmful to breathe for human and animals? What about our water?” the resident asked.

The white dusty emissions appear to be coming from the nearby Century Aluminum plant.

Goose Creek Mayor Greg Habib said in a message to residents that he and State Representative Brandon Cox met with leadership at the plant on Monday to get a better picture of what the dust may be, why it is leaving the plant, and when the problem should be solved.

“The white dust is Alumina dust, which is produced during the smelting process. Alumina dust is not supposed to leave the plant. In fact, the retention of Alumina is an important part of the plant’s ability to make more aluminum,” Mayor Habib explained.

Century Aluminum believes the emissions are connected to an “unusual failure” in the plant’s baghouse. Mayor Habib explained that exhaust from the manufacturing process runs through a scrubber to clean the air, and the Alumina dust is collected into the bags in the baghouse.

The dust is then taken and reintroduced into the manufacturing process to make aluminum.

But while Century Aluminum is not certain of the failure, Mayor Habib said the plant is looking at two possibilities.

First, the mayor said there was a change in suppliers for the filter being used in the baghouse. “Century knows that on three occasions a very small portion of the bags failed. They are currently investigating another batch of bags that will be replaced as a warranty issue,” he said.

The second possibility could be connected to recent “episodes of high pressure” in the baghouse. “Century believes these episodes combined with the failing bags are resulting in the emission problems over the past several months,” said Mayor Habib.

Mayor Habib said Century Aluminum reported the issues to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and is working with the state health agency and technical experts in the field to solve the problems.

“DHEC has two toxicologists in their Charleston office who are familiar with Century Aluminum and aluminum oxide. They have employed three full-time employees in the bag house to identify problems, and they keep a contractor onsite 24 hours a day to address any further issues that may occur. They are soon going to be able to return to their original bag supplier. Finally, they have recruited technical consultants to help them identify the pressure problem,” said Mayor Habib.

Mayor Habib said Century Aluminum has assured his office that they are working diligently to address the emission issues. “I am confident that Century Aluminum has been transparent with me and DHEC. We are hopeful they will have a resolution soon, and we expect to receive an update from DHEC,” he said.

He said that during the 40 years in which the aluminum smelter has operated in the Goose Creek community, there has not been another issue related to emissions from the plant.

Mayor Habib said that he has requested a town hall event with Century Aluminum and DHEC to address the emissions issue and related health risks.

DHEC later told News 2 that its staff is investigating and has both been at the facility and in the community to gather information. “We are working closely with the facility to develop an immediate corrective action plan,” the agency said.

According to DHEC, alumina dust is not considered a hazardous substance. “The particle size of the dust being seen in the community is large and therefore too big to enter human lungs; however, it can still irritate your skin, eyes, and nose, and can be a respiratory irritant after prolonged exposure.”

The state health agency is deploying portable air sensors to measure any smaller, breathable particulate matter, called “fine particulate matter” (or PM2.5) in the area.

Community members can access the real-time data by clicking the links below. DHEC staff is in the process of setting up the sensors.

DHEC says data will represent all particulate matter (PM) in the area, not just the PM from a single source or single facility. “There can be many different sources of PM emissions within an area. The data from these sensors will help us identify any air quality trends in the community,” health officials said.

DHEC previously recommended that anyone with any type of environmental concern fill out an online form and contact the local environmental affairs office.

News 2 also reached out to Century Aluminum. We are waiting to hear back.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCIV) — People who live in Goose Creek have been complaining for weeks about a white powder-like substance in the air- identified as alumina dust.

They said it’s been covering their cars and homes, and even making it hard to breathe.

Monday night, Goose Creek residents heard from health and environmental experts for the first time about the issue, and their plan to fix it.

Century Aluminum addresses alumina dust concerns in Goose Creek: Promises resolution in 10 days. Community town hall held Oct. 9, 2023. (WCIV)

They were also able to ask representatives from Century Aluminum and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) questions

Some told News 4 before the meeting started they were just looking for transparency.

“First, we’re sorry. I understand your concerns and frustrations, but we also appreciate your patience. We will fix this issue,” said Dennis Harbath, the plant manager at Century Aluminum.

Century Aluminum said the release of alumina dust in Goose Creek first happened because of accelerated bag failures. They said they’re replacing the failed bags and expect their action plan to take 10 days to solve the problem.

Read More: White dust emitted into Goose Creek from Century Aluminum plant; officials respond

But people who live in the area are still concerned.

“I’m exhausted all the time, I get headaches, you know, my eyes burn. It’s just been a total nightmare,” said Jackie Davis Pfister.

Pfister lives in Goose Creek, and people like her who have preexisting conditions like asthma are worried about long-term effects.

“Before I never really had to use my inhaler except for when I was sick or overexerted myself, that was the only time I used it, but now it’s just a regular basis, three to five times [per day],” she said.

Read More: Goose Creek residents grapple with alumina dust from local aluminum plant

DHEC said there is a certain type of aluminum oxide particles they’re keeping their eye on.

“What we were most concerned about is actually the smaller particles that you could actually breathe in and actually get into your lungs. So, for that reason we did put out some air sensors,” said Rhonda Thompson, the Bureau of Air Quality chief for DHEC.

But she said the readings from their sensors have been very low so far.

Other questions came from the crowd: Why didn’t the plant shut down when the leak first happened? And, how will aluminum oxide affect animals, and not just people?

Read More: DHEC confirms 2023 season's first flu-related death in SC

But Monday’s experts said they couldn’t answer some of those questions, leaving many frustrated.

Statistics from the DHEC air sensors and the area’s current air quality can be found on DHEC's website.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

People can also go to mthollyupdates.com for more information from Century Aluminum, including how the plant is working to solve this issue.

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCSC) - The Goose Creek Planning Commission is considering zoning requests for more than 500 acres of land off Highway 52.

The Laurel Bay Planned Development would cover 560 acres of land and feature different mixed-use areas including neighborhood-style townhomes as well as apartment-style homes with commercial space on the first level.

The developers first presented this plan in August and have been working with city staff since to make some recommended adjustments to their presentation. The suggested changes by staff include the creation of a conservation clause to protect resources like wildlife and wetlands.

Another suggestion staff are hoping to see is adding additional language so that a wetland buffer of ten feet will exist along the entire perimeter of the property.

The tracts of land that would make up the development are north of Medway Road and the Boulder Bluff and Beverly Hills neighborhoods. The tract names are the Monarch and Medway Tracts off of Montague Plantation Road.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) - State, county and city leaders say they are working together to bring the ditches and drainage service in an area of Goose Creek up to par after major flooding from summer storms.

After a staff meeting Tuesday morning, officials say they will be working together during the next 60-90 days on drainage system improvements. Work includes retrenching the ditches to the correct depth to allow flow, as well as inspecting each pipe for breaks or blockages.

Families in the Boulder Bluff and Beverly Hills neighborhoods experience heavy rain and flooded yards and foundations over the summer.

One family even suffered a loss of income when a member fell and broke an ankle trying to clean out the drainage area himself.

One issue the people ran into while trying to voice the problem was knowing who to bring their concerns to.

Mayor Greg Habib of Goose Creek says the city is not directly in charge of that service, but he stepped in to get all the people involved around one table to talk about next steps.

“Yes, they feel like they’re getting the runaround. And it’s because of how we are structured in South Carolina in Berkeley County in the city of Goose Creek,” Habib says.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation manages the roads and easements, the county manages drains and stormwater and many of the addresses are in the city. Those agencies say they are collaborating on a solution.

After heavy rains over the summer and getting multiple calls each, the agencies began workshopping with each other. Habib says he invited everyone to an in-person meeting Tuesday morning in Goose Creek to help.

Berkeley County Councilman Tommy Newell, State Representative Brandon Cox and SCDOT planners all came out.

The department of transportation says they are retrenching all the ditches next to the roads they run. The ditches will be deeper and clearer for water to flow through. The county is going into its drains, and making sure there are no breaks or blocks in those pieces.

“The first thing we need to do is ensure that we get the system back to its proper condition right. Are the ditches the proper depth? Are the storm drains open? Are the pipes underneath the roads all open for flow up and down the system? And so we believe that I personally believe that’ll take care of a lot of the issue” Habib says.

Habib says Boulder Bluff and Beverly Hills are older neighborhoods where many people have lived for nearly 40 years in their homes. He knows that the severe flooding issues have been amplified in past years by the continuing changes to the area.

“It’s important to note that in 60 years ago, when neighborhoods were built there were no stormwater, requirements, stormwater laws, stormwater engineering, there wasn’t any of that. You see a neighborhood get built today, they’re all required essentially to keep their stormwater on their own on the development right. That’s why there are retention ponds and detention drains and all of those things. Well that didn’t happen 60 years ago,” Habib says.

Given the older style of the system and the potential for deterioration, the agencies are doing a full assessment after this summer’s heavy rains. Their work in the next 60-90 days is meant to bring the system up to its max performance ability. Habib hopes that’s the solution to all the problems.

“It may be. I suspect it probably is, but it may not be. And if it’s not, we will then identify what we can do to raise the system up so that it does meet the standard that needs to be there today,” Habib.

Habib says anyone who is having specific problems is always welcome to bring their concerns to the city and county council to explain their issue and get help from the right agency.

“Water doesn’t know the boundaries of a municipality. So the stormwater money from within the city of Goose Creek goes to Berkeley County. Because I believe and so does the county believe that stormwater is much better managed from a macro county perspective than a micro-neighborhood,” Habib says.

Residents in the neighborhood say they are hopeful the work mitigates their issues and look forward to the completion of the retrenching and pipe clearing. Then they will await the next rain, and see if more work is needed, or if their system is doing enough.

Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.