MEC&F Expert Engineers : CHEMICAL LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT GAS PLUME IN MENASHA, WI AT SCA TISSUE PLANT CAUSES EVACUATIONS OF 28 HOMES

Monday, March 16, 2015

CHEMICAL LEAK AND SUBSEQUENT GAS PLUME IN MENASHA, WI AT SCA TISSUE PLANT CAUSES EVACUATIONS OF 28 HOMES







MARCH 16, 2015

MENASHA, WISCONSIN (AP)

The all-clear has been sounded in Menasha after a chemical leak prompted an evacuation order for more than two dozen homes.

Authorities say an "organic polymer" was being unloaded at the SCA Tissue plant, 190 Tayco Street, shortly after 8 a.m. Monday when it leaked and came into contact with another chemical, sodium hypochlorite.

The chemicals are used in cleaning water from the paper-making process.
WLUK-TV (http://bit.ly/1LjVXJ6) reports the two reacted, creating heat, giving off gasses and causing an explosion that blew off part of a roof of the plant where the chemicals are located.

No one was hurt.

Fire officials say homes to the south of the plant were evacuated as a gas plume filled the air. Hazardous materials crews were called in to handle the spill.