Birdsfoot Delta

Mile 185.0 - LBD - Industrial Complex including Borden Chemicals, Westlake Chemicals, and Momentive Specialty Chemicals

John Ruskey

20 Apr 2026 � 1 min read

185 LBD - Industrial Complex including Borden Chemicals, Westlake Chemicals, and Momentive Specialty Chemicals

Borden Chemicals originally operated a chemical facility here producing vinyl chloride monomer, ammonia, and PVC. After an explosion and chemical release brought attention from Federal regulators in 1997 the U.S. Government filed a civil action against Borden for the unpermitted dumping of hazardous chemicals (which contaminated the groundwater), the illegal shipment of hundreds of thousands of pounds of hazardous waste to South Africa, and the operation of unpermitted hazardous waste facilities. Westlake Chemicals later took over the vinyl portion of the facility and currently produces PVC resin, 1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC), and vinyl chloride monomer. In July 2010 there was an accidental release of ,more than 900 pounds of vinyl chloride monomer (a known human carcinogen) as well as other chemicals. In March 2012 there was a serious explosion and fire at the facility which released 2,645 pounds of hydrochloric acid, 632 pounds of chlorine, 239 pounds of vinyl chloride monomer, and around 40 pounds of other chemicals into the area. Residents were told to shelter in place and a 45 mile stretch of the Mississippi River was shut down. In June 2014 there was a fairly large fire in a refrigeration unit at the facility. In September 2015 a fiberglass pipe caught fire and was extinguished within 30 minutes.

Toxic Releases (TRI) for 2013 in pounds:

Westlake Chemicals:
Air: 193,616
Water: 193

Momentive Specialty Chemicals:
Air: 64,080
Water: 10

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