Navy Kicks Off Ventilation of Red Hill Facility’s Tank 5

After notifying the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), the Navy Closure Task Force (NCTF-RH) announced that they will begin venting tank 5 at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. This activity marks the fourth of 14 tanks to undergo ventilation and cleaning as part of the decommissioning process.

The venting, or degassing phase, is critical to this process. It involves eliminating any residual volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by pushing clean air from the bottom of the tank and releasing it through a sophisticated ventilation system. This step ensures the tanks are safe and free from harmful substances.

NCTF-RH has installed nine air quality monitoring stations in and around the facility to track air quality changes and potential VOC levels. These stations also collect atmospheric data, including air speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. Monitoring ensures that emissions stay below the DOH’s limit of 38 parts per million by volume total VOCs. Current measurements show VOC levels at the facility boundary are significantly below the limit, with a median of 0.000 and an average of 0.003 parts per million by volume total VOCs since the start of ventilation.

The NCTF-RH remains committed to maintaining safety and transparency throughout the decommissioning process. If you require more information, visit the official NCTF-RH website.