Posted on 08/26/2006 12:32:00 AM PDT by Pontiac
A chemical released into the air from an industrial plant Friday sent 23 people to the hospital and closed some roads, officials said.
The release of the chemical at Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex was visible around a railroad tanker car parked on the plant site, state police spokesman Cpl. Jeffrey Whitmarsh said.
The rail car contained styrene, which is potentially flammable and can cause irritation if inhaled, Whitmarsh said.
Pam Chase told The (Wilmington) News Journal that she could see a "mist across the ground" and a "steam or fog along the tracks."
"It was a real strong smell of burning plastic," she said.
John Hughes, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, said first responders reported that the leak was a result of a defective valve on a railroad tanker car carrying 20,000 pounds of styrene. Officials believed the cause was a buildup of pressure in the tanker, he said.
"I've been told it's stopped leaking, but it's not capped," Hughes said late Friday. "It's not safe at this point."
Darrel Cole, spokesman for the Delaware Department of Transportation, said much of Route 13 was closed and traffic was being diverted to Route 1, where tolls were being waived.
Although residents were not ordered to evacuate, those who wished to leave were directed to Dover High School. No one was at the school late Friday.
Twenty-three people went to Kent General Hospital for treatment of nausea and headaches, said Pamela Marechi, a hospital spokeswoman. Twenty-one were released.
Residents within five miles of the plant were urged to stay indoors, turn off air conditioning and close vents into their houses, Whitmarsh said.
Reichhold site manager Michael Galbus said the company would not make a statement until Saturday.
Styrene is used by chemical companies that make plastics, synthetic rubber, resins and insulators, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site. Styrene vapor irritates the eyes, the nose, and the throat and can adversely affect the human nervous system.
Very funny. I don't think that is how it was intended to come out.
Of course
They're liberals
There would be an odor.
Sounds like styrene monomer.
Sounds like styrene monomer.
This happend around 6pm.
I received a 911 phone call arond 11pm informing me not to go outside.
NICE!
Reichold Chem is a constant source of air pollution in the area, every morning that I drive past the plant the odors are enough to gag on.
ping
Thanks Delmarksman for the heads up.
I read about this earlier in the News Journal
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.