Lion.com will be offline for scheduled maintenance from 11 PM ET on Saturday, September 13, to 1 AM ET on Sunday, September 14.
Search

Chemical Leak Shuts Down South Carolina Interstate

Posted on 7/29/2022 by Roger Marks

On July 27 at about 5:45 PM, a chemical release from a specialty chemicals facility near Interstate 20 in Elgin, SC led local officials to close a ten-mile stretch of highway as emergency crews worked to contain the leak.

A plume or ‘white haze” seen in the area was determined to be a vapor mix of nitric acid and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that leaked from a tank outside of the facility. The facility was immediately evacuated and no injuries were reported.

To protect the public, officials established a perimeter around the facility while the incident was investigated. The South Carolina Department of Health (DHEC) stated that, based on the information available, there are no public health concerns. 

Following the incident, the company released a statement that reads in part: 
 
First and foremost, we have the highest regard for the safety of our employees, our environment, and our neighbors. All employees were evacuated immediately, and there was full notification to the authorities. There were no injuries. The authorities are on site assisting in response and have set up a secure perimeter. They are assessing the situation to determine when that perimeter can be reduced. We are following their lead, and providing full technical support throughout this incident to ensure the safety of the people around us is maintained until the event is complete. We will not bring the unit back online until we can complete a full investigation and understand the source of the issue.
 
The company updated its statement at 7 AM on July 29:
 
All plant operations have returned to normal operating status. The vessel involved in the incident has been taken out of service until all internal investigations are complete, repairs have been made, and it is returned to normal production.

The statement was posted to the Kershaw County Facebook page.

What are Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)?

Nitrogen oxides are a group of highly reactive gases that includes nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous acid, and nitric acid. Exposure to high concentrations of nitrogen oxides can irritate the respiratory system.

NOx are among the “criteria pollutants” for which US EPA has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards or NAAQS. In areas where the concentration level rises above the NAAQS, facilities face more stringent pollution control, reporting, and permitting requirements for building or modifying sources of air pollution.

When they interact with oxygen, water, and atmospheric substances, nitrogen oxides can contribute to the phenomenon of acid rain.

Chemical Leak Shuts Down South Carolina Interstate

Build Environmental Expertise At Your Own Pace

Managing site compliance with the many complex EPA programs that affect your business—from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to TSCA, EPCRA, CERCLA, and more—is a major challenge.

If you’re new to the field or need an update on changing EPA rules, Lion's Complete Environmental Regulations online training is a convenient way to quickly build in-depth expertise.

More environmental compliance online training:
 
Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online 
Clean Air Act Regulations Online
TSCA Regulations Online
Clean Water Act & SDWA Regulations Online


 

Tags: chemicals, release reporting

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

This is the best RCRA training I've experienced! I will be visiting Lion training again.

Cynthia L. Logsdon

Principal Environmental Engineer

Lion Technology workshops are amazing!! You always learn so much, and the instructors are fantastic.

Dorothy Rurak

Environmental Specialist

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Find out what makes DOT hazmat training mandatory for employees who sign the hazardous waste manifest, a “dually regulated” document for tracking shipments.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.