Posted on August 13, 2015 by Angela.Gemmill
By Angela Gemmill
The Nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide has dissipated around Copper Cliff after a leak at Vale’s Acid Plant early this morning.
The mining company enacted a Level 3 Emergency and sounded the air horns just after 6am to notify nearby residents.
That was downgraded to a Level 1 just before 8:30 as the wind speed and weather prevented the chemicals from traveling outside the town boundaries.
No one was injured since Vale was on a planned maintenance period and there were few staff around.
Anyone exposed to nitrogen oxide could experience nose, throat, eye, skin or respiratory irritation.
A news conference is scheduled for 1pm at the Lionel E Lalonde Centre in Azilda to provide local media with more information.
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Vale says emergency at Copper Cliff smelter over 4
Thursday, August 13, 2015 10:51:27 EDT AM
MR 55 was closed heading to Copper Cliff because of leak at Vale. John Lappa/The Sudbury Star/Postmedia Network
UPDATE: Vale, police, health unit and city staff have scheduled a media briefing for 1 p.m. Watch this site and Friday's Sudbury Star for full coverage.
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Vale has given the all clear following a dangerous leak at its Copper Cliff operations early Thursday.
“During the planned maintenance period of the Vale Acid Plant in Copper Cliff, there was a release of nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NOx) mist,” the company said in a release.
“Emergency measures were activated and as a precaution, a Level 3 emergency was called. The emergency air horn was sounded at approximately 6 a.m.to notify residents in the nearby area.
“Emergency and Vale personnel are now satisfied that the NOx mist has dissipated given the wind speed and weather conditions and there is no risk of additional substance traveling beyond company boundaries. Therefore, there is no risk to the community. The Level 3 emergency therefore was declared ‘all clear’ at 8:26 a.m.
“There are no reported injuries as a result of this incident.”
Vale said if a person is exposed to a NOx, symptoms can include nose, throat, eye, skin and respiratory irritation.
“If these symptoms should occur, a person should find fresh air and flush any irritated area with water,” the company said. “If symptoms persist, a person should seek medical attention.”
In a Level 3 emergency, “all residents are asked to remain indoors, close all doors and windows and turn off all furnaces, air conditioners and any other air intakes. Residents must remain inside until an ‘all clear message’ is broadcast and the air horn has stopped."
Roads around Copper Cliff had initially been closed, but are now open.
"Nitrogen dioxide affects the respiratory system and can be fatal in large doses,” Greater Sudbury Police said in a release.
A spokesman for Vale told Reuters the incident would not have an impact production as the leak occurred just as Vale was beginning a scheduled maintenance shutdown at the nickel smelter.
"It looks at this point in time like it may be related to some of the shutdown work that was being done," said Cory McPhee a spokesman for Vale in Canada. "Until we're able to investigate further, I can't say with any degree of certainty."
Vale initially declared a Level 3 emergency at the site, but it has now downgraded that to Level 2, meaning that it now only affects the plant, and it is safe for residents in the area to go outside, said McPhee.
Broadcaster CBC earlier reported a yellow plume was visible above the Vale complex - and that cars were being directed away from the smelter.
"The cloud is dissipating. The levels that we registered throughout the event were very low," said McPhee, adding that Vale has not received reports of any adverse effects outside the plant.