The Springfield Fire Department, Springfield Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Clark County Health Department and Ohio EPA have responded to this incident.
The Parker Trutec plant, which provides metal coating and treatment services, reported that around 1,400 gallons of water mixed with potassium cyanide, sodium cyanide and other liquids exited the plant and entered a nearby drainage system that leads to a retention pond used for storm run-off.
The Clark County hazmat team began sampling inside and outside the plant, including the pond water and surrounding air.
“The air and water monitoring returned no abnormal readings and no detectable cyanide was found at surface levels inside the facility or in any of the waterways,” said Springfield Fire Chief Jacob King.
The Ohio EPA is currently on-site overseeing the environmental protection and clean up operations. Despite low readings, they are operating as if there are water problems to ensure safety while they wait on water sample test results, local officials said.
Testing of the pond and drainage ditches will continue to determine if there is any contaminant resting at the bottom of the pond.
The Clark County Combined Health District advises people to not fish, swim or take anything out of the pond while water samples are being taken to determine safety.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
“We’re not saying there is a problem, but we haven’t been able to determine there isn’t one,” King said. “We’re focusing on, not only protecting our community, but also our environment. We want to ensure that we have a safe water system.”
The chemicals that leaked are water soluble, meaning the more water they’re mixed with, the less potent they are. King believes that’s why, even with that amount of chemicals, the contamination readings are low, he said.
There is an ongoing, full remediation effort in the location where the material left the plant, including soil and water cleaning. There are no reports of product leaving the contaminated area.
Some of the product did enter the sanitary sewer system, but monitoring systems at the plant showed no contaminants reaching the sewer treatment facility as of this morning.
Chris Cook, health commissioner for Clark County Combined Health District, said he doesn’t expect to see any long- or short-term effects on people in the area due to the little contamination that’s been reported.
“If you see anything unusual, whether they’re breathing issues, things like headaches, have a conversation with the health department, your health care provider,” Cook said.
Shannon Ricciardo, vice president of Parker Trutec, apologized on behalf of the plant for this incident and thanked first responders for their efforts.
Parker Trutec has been operating in Springfield since 1988. Its services include increasing the useful life of metals through treatments that minimize rust, wear and fatigue and chemicals are used in that process.
Nobody from Parker Trutec or any responders were injured as a result of this incident, and there is no hazard to the community as of Thursday afternoon.
Credit: Bryant Billing
Credit: Bryant Billing
