At least 20 people have been reportedly taken to a regional hospital. First responders dispatched to the leak have set up a large blue tarp to “wipe people down” at the scene.
“We’ve got everything under control…” Chemical spill on Erie Canal Road caused evacuation and sent many to hospital
WTHI Photo Staff Report Published: August 15, 2015
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) –
Vigo County Central Dispatch confirmed a chemical spill Saturday evening on Erie Canal Road on the south side of Terre Haute.
Officials told our crew on the scene that the exact location was 2400 South Erie Canal Road which is the address for Hydrite Chemical Co. and near the intersection of Erie Canal Rd and E Voorhees Street. Originally they stated that the chemical was sulfuric acid – but firefighters on the scene reported later that it was sulfur dioxide.
Those in the area were evacuated and officials were blocking many streets near the area.
Callers were telling News 10 that they could smell and taste the chemicals. Many people were at the Terre Haute Quarter Midget track when the spill happened. Callers were stating that their lungs began to burn and as they were evacuating they had to use their shirts to cover their faces.
“…We’ve got everything under control at this time,” explained Joe Swan, Terre Haute Fire Department. “We believe Hydrite’s got everything shut down and there’s no leak at this time.”
Our crew on the scene was told that those needing medical attention were taken to Regional Hospital.
Just before 10 p.m. Terre Haute Regional Hospital released a statement saying a total of 15 people were seen; of those only three had to be admitted for further testing and treatment.
“We do drills for situations like this, and we handled the real-life situation very well,” explained Chief Nursing Officer Angela Ellis. “A hospital emergency room is typically a busy place on a weekend night. Adding 15 patients to the mix at one time made it a little more hectic than usual, but we were able to handle it. I’m proud of the way we worked together-our firefighters and EMS, doctors, staff, housekeeping–everyone. I’m just glad the injuries weren’t more serious.”
About Hydrite Chemical Co.
U.S. supplier specializing in liquid sulfites and bisulfites, organic toll reactions, and separating and distilling difficult-to-process organic products.
Sulfur dioxide is a compressed liquid mostly commonly used as a reducing agent in wastewater and metal working applications.
Hydrite Chemical Co. (Hydrite) operates as an inorganic chemical manufacturer producing chemicals used in a variety of industries from agriculture to food processing to waste water treatment. Hydrite is strongly committed to employee and public safety and environmental responsibility. It is our policy to control our processes to prevent the accidental release of harmful or noxious materials that could endanger or irritate our employees, plant visitors, or neighbors. This commitment is integrated into our design standards, equipment installation and maintenance practices, operating procedures and training programs.
Hydrite has developed and trained written emergency response procedures in the event of an accidental release from any of our processes. These written plans have been provided to the local emergency response agencies including local emergency response personnel, hospitals, state and federal agencies.
Hydrite uses two chemicals regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management Program and the Environmental Protection Agency Risk Management Program. These chemicals are anhydrous forms of Ammonia and Sulfur Dioxide. These chemicals are received in bulk and container forms by truck. These materials are stored as liquids under pressure. All storage and ancillary equipment are designed to comply with National Standards including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Fertilizer Institute, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), DOT and OSHA.
Worst case scenario for each regulated substance is based on the total loss of the maximum quantity stored in each vessel. Release is assumed to occur over a 10 minute period with weather conditions as defined by EPA in the Offsite Consequence Analysis Guidance. The worst case scenario for Sulfur Dioxide has the greatest impact zone and does have off-site impacts.