"Airosol" Chemical Plant Explodes In Neodesha, Kansas

[kanzz]

"Airosol" Chemical Plant Explodes In Neodesha, Kansas

NEODESHA, Kansas -
Three people were injured in a chemical plant exploded and burned in Neodesha, Kansas Tuesday morning.

One was seriously injured with burns and the others had breathing problems.
Neodesha is about 15 miles north of Independence. A boil order is now in effect for the town.
The explosion and fire happened at Airosol, Inc., a chemical plant that packages aerosol, liquid and specialty chemicals for industries. Authorities say there was an initial explosion followed by a second one.
The fire burned for hours but is nearly out. Firefighters say they expect cool down to take all day. Firefighters drained the water taken and the city is without water. They've had to take water from a nearby river.
Neodesha schools are closed due to the incident."
[source: Three injured injured in chemical plant explosion ]

Airosol Company, Inc. was established in 1943 as Airosol, Inc., a joint venture between capitalist W. J. Small of Neodesha, Kansas and Dr. Lyle Goodhue. Dr. Goodhue developed the first aerosol container while a researcher with the U. S. Government for the Department of Agriculture. Airosol, Inc. was established to manufacture aerosol containers of insecticide for the military during World War II. In 1949 John Matthews purchased the rights to Airosol, Inc. and renamed it Airosol Company, Inc. Under Mr. Matthews' guidance the new company began to experiment in packaging numerous products in both aerosol and liquid forms.
Airosol, Inc. began with 12 people in a 4,000 square foot facility requiring labor intensive hand operations. Today Airosol Co., Inc. has approximately 75 employees in an 100,000 square foot facility with state of the art high speed filling equipment. Early packaging consisted mostly of insecticides. Through the years the company has developed product formulas for home, auto, lawn and garden, pets, clothing, industrial and government use
Today Airosol Co., Inc. products are sold in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and numerous foreign countries. Airosol Co. Inc. remains a privately held corporation headquartered in Neodesha, Kansas.
[source: https://www.aecinfo.com/1/company/09/10/25/company_1.html ]


One person critically injured in Neodesha plant explosion


OSHA has opened investigation into plant explosion in Neodesha

 

[kanzz]

Fire contained after aerosol plant explosion in Neodesha

"The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation into the Airosol Company explosion that left three people injured in the town of Neodesha.
A news release says OSHA will conduct a thorough investigation to determine if any violations of OSHA safety and health standards contributed to the incident.
The company manufactures over 100 aerosol, liquid and specialty chemicals for a variety of industries."

TV channels are reporting "possible toxins in the air".

 

[kanzz]

Independence Daily Reporter

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE...
The Independence city commission, under advisement of city staff in an abundance of caution, have passed an emergency water conservation resolution as they will shut down the water plant tomorrow morning by 4 a.m. to prevent a possible contamination due to chemicals which may be present in the river system. All citizens must conserve their water usage to insure [sic] that the city maintains a stable supply of clean water while further information on the condition of the river is obtained. IDR will update as the situation develops.
BBM

 

[kanzz]

Montgomery County Chronicle
"CITY OF INDEPENDENCE ALERTS RESIDENTS: DO NOT USE ANY WATER EXCEPT FOR LIFE-SUSTAINING ACTIVITIES
(11:15 a.m., Wednesday) The Independence City Commission this morning declared the fullest stage of its water emergency plan, which calls for all water usage and consumption to stop for Independence and for Montgomery County Rural Water Districts #1, #4 and #8 and Montgomery County Consolidated Water District #1, which all receive treated water from the Independence city water treatment plant, until further notice.
The only water consumption permitted will be life-sustaining activities, such as persons who require water for medical needs.
The City of Independence stopped the intake of raw water from the Verdigris River this morning at 4 a.m. so that state water regulators can evaluate the chemical content of the water supply. Because the only available treated water is within the water distribution system, city commissioners agreed to stop all water consumption except for life-sustaining activities. The chemical content was being evaluated after a fire at the Airosol Company in Neodesha on Tuesday allowed the release of chemicals, through water runoff and air, into the Fall and Verdigris rivers.
State water regulators hope to have a more definitive determination of chemical content in the Verdigris River later today and will report that information to the city commission at a meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m., today at the municipal court room in the temporary Independence city hall.
Because water consumption is being stopped, all Independence food establishments are being told to make alternate plans to their food services. Industries also are being told to stop water consumption for the manufacture of their products.
Also at the meeting this morning:
• Independence city officials said potable and non-potable water is being brought to Independence later today and will be distributed to local residents. The ICC West parking lot and the temporary Independence City Hall parking lot on Laurel Street will serve as distribution sites for that water. The exact time of when the water will arrive has not been determined but will be made available through social media and other media outlets.
• City officials encouraged Independence residents to find alternate sites for Thanksgiving Day meals because of the water limitations. City manager Micky Webb said residents should find alternate sites that are not located in the Neodesha, Independence and Coffeyville areas — towns that are served by the Fall and Verdigris rivers.
• More than 40 people from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Corps of Engineers, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Division of Emergency Management, and Gov. Sam Brownback's office, have been working since yesterday to determine the water situation in Neodesha, Independence and Coffeyville. Four large barrels of Verdigris River water were taken to laboratories in Kansas City and Tulsa this morning for further evaluation.
• The Independence City Commission will meet again at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday to receive an update on the water situation from local and state authorities. The meeting will be held at the municipal court room in the temporary Independence City Hall on Laurel street."

 

[kanzz]

Sam Brownback has issued a State of Disaster Emergency declaration for Montgomery and Wilson Counties

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has issued a disaster declaration Wednesday, one day after an explosion at a Neodesha chemical plant.
The declaration announced Wednesday allows the National Guard to help respond to Tuesday’s explosion at the Airosol Inc. plant in Neodesha.
The effort includes providing bottled water to residents. Public water systems have been urged to close water intakes on the Verdigris River downstream from the plant to prevent contamination from substances used in the firefight.


Governor issues disaster declaration in Neodesha

 

[kanzz]

There is a dam/lake above Neodesha on the Fall River. The Fall River empties into the Verdigris River just south of Neodesha and then runs past Independence to Coffeyville and south where it eventually empties into lake Oologah in Oklahoma.

There is a rumor that the Fall River dam authorities might open up the dam and flood the river downstream to clear this to Lake Oologah - but I'm having trouble seeing how the people downstream will allow that. Oologah is a well-known fishing, boating, and camping location. It is assumed that the run-off of chemicals will cause a massive fish kill, as well as probably the loss of wildlife that might be drinking from the river.

The repercussions from this disastrous event to this community might be felt for a very long time.

OSHA and KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) arrived yesterday and continue to assess the situation.

 

[kanzz]

Airosol chemical plant explosion may contaminate OK water

NOWATA, OK (KSWO)- Parts of Oklahoma are now being affected by the Aersol [sic] Plant explosion in Kansas.

Residents of northeastern Oklahoma had their water service turned off because of possible contamination. Both Kansas and Oklahoma authorities are examining the water quality to see what chemicals may be contaminating the water. They are worried about runoff from the chemicals in the plant and the chemicals used to put out the fire.
Airosol, Inc., a chemical plant in Neodesha, Kansas, is still smoldering, but fire officials say the fire is fully contained.

 

[kanzz]

City of Independence, Kansas

11:00 AM, November 24, 2016 – CRITICAL WATER NOTICE – Governor Brownback has notified the City that we are awaiting a final test that should be available Friday afternoon (November 25, 2016) that based on the results may allow the City to start pumping at that time. However, if the system is depleted prior to this time it will result in a mandatory boil order once the system is in operation again. TO AVOID THIS EVERYONE NEEDS TO STOP USING WATER FROM THE TAP, INCLUDING FLUSHING TOILETS, AND SHOWERING. THIS IS A CRITICAL SITUATION. If we cannot maintain the system during this time, the emergency will be extended for several days. Please be advised that citizens that ignore this order and waste water during this critical time can be disconnected from the system. Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this extreme emergency. Visit the City's website for more information:
http://www.independenceks.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=43

 

[kanzz]

City of Independence - Water Emergency Cancelled

2:30 AM, November 25, 2016 – The State notified the City that testing indicated that the City could start drawing water from the intake shortly after 1 AM this morning. Our plant has started production and we are asking high volume users, such as businesses and industries, to wait until 4 AM or after to start utilizing high volumes of water. For all other residential or commercial normal volume users, you may resume utilizing water at this time. Because our citizens heeded our previous requests, we were able to maintain enough pressure in our system to avoid a boil order for City of Independence, Kansas residents; Montgomery County Rural Water Districts #1, #4 & #8; and Montgomery Consolidated Rural Water District #1. Thank you for your patience and assistance during this emergency water crisis.


#WaterIsLife

 

[kanzz]

End in sight for Neodesha water emergency

NEODESHA, Kan. (KWCH) - FRIDAY UPDATE: The Neodesha Fire Department says the city has received approval from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to use an alternate water source to recharge the city's water supply.

The city used much of its water to fight the fire at the Airosol plant on Tuesday, November 22nd. Neodesha officials were also worried that contaminated water from fighting the fire drained into the Fall River, the city's main source for water.
Neodesha officials say it could still be several days before the water system is safe to use. Residents are still asked to not use water until the city's supply has been replenished.


#WaterIsLife

 

[Jewels53]

I just want to Thank you kanzz for keeping us informed as to what is happening in Neodesha. From another citizen of a small town in Kansas to you!

 

[kanzz]

I just want to Thank you kanzz for keeping us informed as to what is happening in Neodesha. From another citizen of a small town in Kansas to you!

You're very welcome. It might not have been a national topic, but it had a big impact to tens of thousands in southeast Kansas. Glad you noticed.

#WaterIsLife

 

[wfgodot]

Much excitement, even for former residents of Wilson County (hi!).

 

[kanzz]

Much excitement, even for former residents of Wilson County (hi!).

Hi! I have close ties to the communities. Hard times, but things are definitely looking up in Wilson County and Montgomery County.

 

[wfgodot]

Hi! I have close ties to the communities. Hard times, but things are definitely looking up in Wilson County and Montgomery County.

Hope so.

(And shout-out to Fredonia.)