INSTITUTE, W.Va. (AP) — A chemical leak at a West Virginia silver recovery business on Wednesday killed two people and sent 19 others to the hospital, including one in critical condition, authorities said.
The leak occurred at the Catalyst Refiners plant in Institute as workers were preparing to shut down at least part of the facility. A chemical gas reaction involving nitric acid resulted in a violent overreaction.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene, and among the injured were seven ambulance workers. Patients were taken to area hospitals with respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath. Fortunately, none of the hospitals reported life-threatening injuries.
A shelter-in-place order was temporarily issued to protect nearby residents. The owner of the plant, Ames Goldsmith Corp., expressed grief over the incident and pledged cooperation with ongoing investigations.
The leak occurred at the Catalyst Refiners plant in Institute as workers were preparing to shut down at least part of the facility. A chemical gas reaction involving nitric acid resulted in a violent overreaction.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene, and among the injured were seven ambulance workers. Patients were taken to area hospitals with respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath. Fortunately, none of the hospitals reported life-threatening injuries.
A shelter-in-place order was temporarily issued to protect nearby residents. The owner of the plant, Ames Goldsmith Corp., expressed grief over the incident and pledged cooperation with ongoing investigations.
