Thursday, April 30, 2015

DUPONT CHEMICAL LEAK HOSPITALIZES 22 IN VIRGINIA










APRIL 29, 2015

Twenty-two DuPont employees and two firefighters were transported to hospitals after a chemical leak occurred on Monday in the 5400 block of Jefferson Davis Highway, DuPont complex. Twelve employees were treated by medics at the scene, but not transported, according to Lt. Jason Elmore of Chesterfield Fire and EMS.

The emergency call was sounded at 10:45 a.m., at the Dupont Richmond Zytel plant. Chesterfield Fire and EMS, which included Haz Mat teams, a special foam unit from the Airport Fire Station, a Multi-Casualty Bus, multiple EMS units, fire crews from City of Richmond and Defense Logics Agency(formerly known as DSCR) and numerous fire engines and aerial ladder trucks soon arrived on scene to assist Dupont’s Fire and EMS team.

The Zytel building had chemical pipes located on the outside of the building where the leak was, Elmore said.

Firefighters sprayed a steady stream of water on the chemicals to disperse vapors, which are highly flammable, Elmore explained.

The leak was contained by 3:30 p.m.

Conditions of the patients, including the firefighters have not been released as of press time.

The cause of the leak is under investigation.