MOE called within 15 minutes
Posted Sep 28, 2010 03:11:19 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ministry of the Environment says Chemtura complied with most of the rules when a chemical was released from the Elmira plant yesterday.
MOE district manager Jane Glassco says the company contacted them within 15 minutes of the spill.
The company also notified the Region of Waterloo but did not report it to Woolwich Township until four and a half hours later. Glassco says they are looking into the error.
The ministry is in Elmira today, taking samples of grass and other vegetation to assess the risk to people. They are advising residents who live near the plant not to eat any vegetables or fruit and they are also asking them to stay away from outdoor furniture or toys that may have been exposed.
The spill released a compound known as BLE 25 at around 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon. It spread up to 300 metres from the plant and left a tar-like substance on some vehicles.
The particles can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as respiratory problems.
Al Marshall is an environmentalist who has lived in Elmira for almost two decades.
He says these spills are a recurring problem in Elmira and he says the town needs to hold Chemtura accountable.
Marshall says the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee should have legal authority to make sure the company has an obligation to take action to prevent spills in the future.
