160 gallons of the undiluted Perasafe FC-100 Chemical spill at Case Farms threatens fish in Nimishillen Creek in Canton, Ohio
Plant evacuated after roughly 160 gallons of the undiluted chemical flow into the Canton storm sewer system.
By Robert Wang
Repository staff writer
Posted Aug. 9, 2016 at 2:13 PM
Updated at 3:34 PM
CANTON, OHIO - A 330-gallon container with a chemical and antimicrobial agent known as Perasafe FC-100 was punctured at Case Farms Tuesday morning, possibly by forklift, causing roughly 160 gallons of the undiluted chemical to flow into the city's storm sewer system and into the Nimishillen Creek, the city's fire chief said.
The chemical can have toxic effects when not diluted. Case Farms, which sells chickens to supermarkets and is at 1925 30th St NE near Route 62 and Harrisburg Avenue NE, uses it in diluted form.
Six people from Case Farms are being evaluated at the scene for ill effects from the spill, said Chief Tom Garra. But so far, there have been no known injuries. The plant has been evacuated.
As of this afternoon, firefighters had opened a hydrant at Route 62 and Harrisburg Avenue NE in an attempt to dilute the chemical in the storm sewer system.
A HazMat team was seeking to treat the spill. They were concerned that the spill would lead to a large fish kill in the Nimishillen Creek and the team was seeking to bring acidity levels in the creek to normal.
The Stark Fire Department Rehabilitation Unit deployed but apparently no firefighters had to be treated.