MARCH 26, 2015
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
Star America at 190 Cabarrus Ave West, concord, NC 28025 was
evacuated following a chemical spill Thursday morning, according to the Concord
Fire Department. This business finishes
women’s full-length and knee length hosiery.
The fire department found a fire in a container of sodium
Sulfide. A fume release caused the
evacuations. Also, it could not have
been hydrogen sulfide (as was reported in the news media), as it has no uses in
the hosiery finishing business. Most
likely it was a sodium sulfide drum. Sodium
sulfide is used in the dyeing, printing and finishing of cotton hosiery. For dyeing cotton fabrics with sulphur
dyes, the dyebath is prepared by pasting the dye with soda ash and
sodium sulphide and hot water. Sodium
sulfide is also used in the textile industry as a bleaching agent.
CFD believes the fire was caused by a reaction to moisture
getting into the container, because they found a hole in the container. About 30 pounds of the chemical leaked. However, reaction with water will not cause
fire, will just release H2S. Most
likely, the drum was subjected to a heat source and caught fire, as it is flammable.
Hazardous fumes were released and 88 employees were
evacuated. Local residents were evacuated from their homes as well. Most likely, the gas was hydrogen sulfide, as
sodium sulfide will release H2S in contact with water and under fire
conditions.
Hydrogen sulfide gas can cause a wide range of health issues
and, in large concentrations, even death, according to the Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA.) Most workers are exposed to the gas by
breathing it. The severity of issues from hydrogen sulfide are determined by
the length of exposure and level of concentration.
Two Star America employees were taken to CMC as a
precaution, according to CFD.
Around 2:45 p.m. the building and surrounding areas went
through air quality monitoring.
Once it is all cleared employees and residents will be able
to go about their day.