Company speeds up plans to kill ‘cat urine’ smell in New Hanover County

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — If you’ve noticed a foul odor in the air, you aren’t alone.

Recently, social media has been full of complaints over a continuing stench similar to cat urine. In July 2019, we learned the smell had been linked to Fortron Industries on Highway 421 in New Hanover County.

The company was ordered to correct the problem months ago, and records from Fortron show it already has completed two projects to that end. More improvements were scheduled for July and August of this year.

However, after pressure from Rep. Deb Butler, Sen. Harper Peterson, and the Department of Environmental Quality, those projects have been moved up to May and June.

Here is a list of projects at Fortron provided to WWAY by Rep. Butler:

Projects Completed to Date:

* Conducted comprehensive analysis of site to determine potential problem areas.
* Implemented Silo baghouse capture improvement to capture all vapor from product silos and ducts for 100% capture of emissions.
* Replaced 31 standard pressure release valves (PRVS), out of 43, on low pressure acetone tanks. with best available technology PRVS that achieve 99% capture of fugitive emissions.

Projects To Be Completed in May:

* Replace the remaining 12 PRVs with best available technology PRVS that achieve 99% capture of fugitive emissions.
* Implement upgrade on salt dryers to achieve 100% capture of emissions.
* Route vents from 7 out of 8 process/waste water tanks to thermal oxidizer for 100% capture of emissions on tanks undergoing updating.

Project To Be Completed in June:

* Route vent from 8th process/waste water tank to thermal oxidizer for 100% capture of emissions.

Fortron also included this statement:

“By the end of June we will have completed the projects we committed to in the Maximum Feasable Control (MFC) analysis. We will continuously evaluate the issue and address any concerns that may arise.”

If you notice the smell, you can contact the DEQ at (910) 796-7215.