Two workers were killed and 21 others hospitalised in an incident at Ames Goldsmith Catalyst Refiners, a silver recovery and catalyst manufacturing facility in West Virginia, US, on 22 April. The incident is now under investigation by the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).
Initial information indicates that a chemical reaction occurred during cleaning and decommissioning of equipment at the Catalyst Refiners facility, which reclaims silver and reprocesses ethylene oxide catalysts. Nitric acid and a proprietary cleaning agent, M2000A, were reportedly mixed during decommissioning of a tank. This released toxic hydrogen sulfide gas in a building where numerous employees were present, according to CSB. Overall, the CSB said more than 30 people sought medical care due to the incident.
West Virginia governor Patrick Morrisey said that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is implementing a comprehensive air monitoring plan in coordination with the federal US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These air tests will be conducted at the facility and in surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, an investigation by the DEP’s environmental enforcement teams will examine the cause as well as the facility’s overall compliance with state and federal regulations. Officials are closely monitoring the site’s wastewater handling and any potential runoff to ensure there are no impacts to surrounding systems.
The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical incidents and developing recommendations to prevent their recurrence. The agency does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organisations, labour groups, and regulatory agencies like the EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
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