Chemical reaction at North Canton water plant sends 4 to hospital
Some chlorine was inadvertently mixed with fluoride in a container at the plant
CantonRep.com / Ray Stewart | Stark County Hazmat technicians get a scrub-down after removing hazardous materials from the North Canton Water Treatment facility on Monday in Jackson Township. Four people were sent to the hospitals due to the wrong chemical solutions being mixed.
By CantonRep.com staff report
Posted August 31, 2015
JACKSON TWP., OHIO
Four people were taken to the hospital Monday morning after a chemical reaction at the North Canton Water Treatment Plant at 7300 Freedom Ave. NW.
According to township Fire Chief Tracy Hogue, some chlorine was inadvertently mixed with fluoride in a container at the plant.
There was no spill; the chemicals were mixed in a container, Hogue said. The mixture caused a chemical reaction that created an inhalation hazard, meaning it was dangerous to breathe.
A truck had delivered the wrong liquid chemical to a plant container, according to a news release from the city of North Canton. The plant was evacuated, and four people — three plant employees and the truck driver — were taken to area hospitals.
The incident occurred around 8:12 a.m. Members of the Stark County Hazardous Materials Team arrived around 9:20 a.m. to assist Jackson Township firefighters. Jackson police, Ohio EPA, a delivery trucking company official and North Canton officials also responded to the scene.
Township fire and police officials were advising people in the immediate area to remain inside as a precaution and warning drivers to temporarily avoid the area of Freedom Avenue NW.
The SunPro Company still was on scene to dispose the chemicals late Monday afternoon. Cleanup was expected to take most the evening, according to the city’s news release.
The chemical reaction was contained to one room at the plant. The release said there was no danger to the city’s water supply, and the water is safe to drink.