ST. LOUIS’ MALLINCKRODT PLANT EVACUATED AFTER TOLUENE SPILL
Friday, January 23, 2015
ST. LOUIS, MO (AP) —
Cleanup is underway after a chemical spill forced evacuation of a St. Louis
chemical plant.
The Mallinckrodt plant was
evacuated Thursday night after about 20 gallons of Toluene spilled inside the
plant. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the most common use of
toluene is as a mixture added to gasoline to improve octane ratings. It is also
used to produce benzene and as a solvent in paints, coatings, synthetic
fragrances, adhesives, inks, and cleaning agents.
The EPA says exposure can
cause headaches and nausea.
Authorities say the spill
happened during a process in which the chemical is mixed with water. City
firefighters assisted Mallinckrodt's own fire department.
Mallinckrodt says no one
was hurt and there was no risk to the public.