Shelter order lifted in Norcold chemical spill
A member of a Shelby County regional hazmat unit works at the Norcold plant in Sidney on Wednesday night, Aug. 12, 2015, where a chemical spill occurred. (Jim Noelker/Staff)
Breaking News Staff
SIDNEY, AU —
UPDATE @ 2:25 a.m. Aug. 13: A shelter-in-place order has been lifted following a chemical spill Wednesday night at Norcold Inc., Sidney police dispatch confirmed.
There were no injuries reported, and residents and businesses in the area can resume normal activities.
UPDATE @ 10:30 p.m.: The chemical spill at Norcold Inc. has triggered a shelter-in-place order until further notice for residents living within a mile radius south of the facility, Sidney Fire Chief Brad Jones said.
The spill of the liquid form of isocyanate, used for expanded foam insulation inside air conditioning units, prompted the order because of the wind direction, Jones said.
Crews aren’t sure of the size of the spill, he said, and there have been no reported injuries, but the spill was large enough to trigger the order that residents close all windows and doors and have no open flames in their homes until further notice.
According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, isocyanates are a family of highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals. They are widely used in the manufacture of flexible and rigid foams, fibers, coatings such as paints and varnishes, and elastomers, and are increasingly used in the automobile industry, autobody repair, and building insulation materials.
Isocyanates are powerful irritants to the mucous membranes of the eyes and gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, according to NIOSH. Direct skin contact can also cause marked inflammation. Isocyanates can also sensitize workers, making them subject to severe asthma attacks if they are exposed again.
Death from severe asthma in some sensitized subjects has been reported.
NIOSH advises that workers potentially exposed to isocyanates who experience persistent or recurring eye irritation, nasal congestion, dry or sore throat, cold-like symptoms, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness should see a physician knowledgeable in work-related health problems.
Chief Jones said the call reporting the spill inside the facility came in at 7:43 p.m., and first-arriving crews helped plant officials in isolating the spill. A regional hazmat unit and fire crews from Anna, Lockington and Port Jefferson were dispatched to assist the Sidney crews.
“We’re evaluating the situation,” Jones said. “We’re in the process of making it safe for the citizens of Shelby County and the city of Sidney. Once we have it secured and safe, we’ll hand it back over to the business owner.”
FIRST REPORT
Fire crews and a hazmat unit are at a chemical spill at Norcold Inc., a maker of RV gas/electric absorption refrigerators.
Crews were dispatched to the facility, 600 S. Kuther Road. sometime before 8 p.m.
Sidney Fire Chief Brad Jones said the building has been evacuated, mutual aid fire/rescue units are on scene as is the Shelby County Hazardous Materials Team.
“We’ve identified the chemical,” Jones said, declining to go into any detail.
There are no reports of any injuries.
Norcold is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thetford Corporation. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Thetford is the world’s leading supplier of sanitation and refrigeration products for the RV, marine and heavy-duty truck industries.
It is a privately-held company with seven manufacturing facilities in four nations.
We will stay on the scene and update this report as information becomes available. - See more at: http://www.whio.com/news/news/local/chemical-spill-reported-at-norcold-in-sidney/nnJWS/#sthash.liaP0w9K.dpuf