AVX knew of TCE spread in 2000

Firm purchased site that tested positive for chemical in 1998
Electronics manufacturer AVX Corp., a suspected source of groundwater contamination in a Myrtle Beach neighborhood, knew since at least 2000 that toxic chemicals had migrated from its 17th Avenue South facility to an adjoining property, according to state documents.
Environmental tests two years earlier confirmed trichloroethylene, an industrial degreaser, had moved through groundwater from AVX to the adjacent Myrtle Cinema 10 site at 1804 S. Kings Highway, according to documents filed with the state's Department of Health and Environmental Control.
AVX bought the 10.7-acre cinema site in 2000 for $4 million, according to Horry County property records.
The theater has been torn down and the property is now vacant.
Carol Minsk, a geologist with DHEC who is overseeing groundwater cleanup at AVX and nearby properties, said it isn't clear whether the manufacturer received copies of the 1998 test results on the cinema site.
At the latest, AVX would have known about the contamination when it bought the property, she said.
That is because state law requires disclosure of environmental hazards when property is sold.
The deed for that property does not mention any environmental contamination or restrictions.
It is possible the disclosure was made in documents that weren't filed with the county.
The only restriction in the deed was that AVX could not use the site for a movie theater because that would have competed with other Carmike theaters in the area.
AVX said at the time it wanted the property for storage and office space.
The manufacturer did not notify Myrtle Beach officials about the contamination when it asked the city to rezone the property in 2000, according to city spokesman Mark Kruea.
It is not clear whether the contamination played a role in AVX buying the land.
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