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Feds release final findings for chemical cloud

By Brian Hagen

01/03/2018

Aerial drone photo of the chemical cloud over Atchison, KS on October 21, 2016/Photo credit: Corie Dunn.

(KAIR)--A lengthy, extensively documented report is released, outlining in detail what happened just over a year ago when a chemical plume was released in Atchison.

More than 140 individuals sought medical attention, while one MGP employee and five members of the public required hospitalization as a result of exposure to the chlorine cloud produced from the mixture of sulfuric acid and bleach at Atchison's MGP Ingredients.

Those details are among the findings listed in the final report of the U.S. Chemical and Safety Hazard Investigation Board.

The case study, known as "Key Lessons for Preventing Inadvertent Mixing During Chemical Unloading Operations" focuses on exactly what transpired on the morning of October 21, 2016, what led to the inadvertent mixing, and what could have been done to prevent it.

The report places responsibility for the accident both on procedures at MGP and the procedures used in the delivery of the sulfuric acid by the Harcros Chemicals truck driver.

Both companies made changes shortly after the incident to avoid a future situation.

The 48-page report concludes with recommendations to MGP, Harcros, and the Atchison County Department of Emergency Management, including the need to “coordinate planning and training activities to ensure emergency responders within Atchison County are prepared for future incidents involving hazardous materials.”