JUNE 17, 2015
CHARLESTON (WRCB) -
The Hiwassee River has been re-opened to river traffic, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
Earlier Wednesday morning, a chlorine spill at Olin Chemical near the Hiwassee River in Charleston Wednesday morning temporarily shout down river traffic, according to Troy Spence, Bradley County EMA director.
The measure was taken as a precaution.
Spence tells Channel 3 there is no danger to the public.
Olin is checking their lines and removing chemicals to determine the source of the leak.
No employees were injured.
Olin Chlor Alkali later issued the following statement:
“Earlier
today, we experienced an unintended chlorine release at out Charleston
Facility. There have been no exposures or injuries among our employees,
all of whom are safe and carrying out their duties. We are working
closely with Bradley and McMinn County Management Authorities and
supporting its measures to ensure the public is not affected, which
included temporarily suspending traffic on the Hiwassee River, which has
been reopened.”
Olin's Charleston facility was built in 1960 and produces bleach,
caustic soda, chlorine, hydrochloricacid, hydrogen and potassium
hydroxide for the paper, textiles, vinyl products, water treatment, food
processing and other industries.