Elk River Chemical Spill

What do we know about the chemicals?

PPH

Plan of Action

MCHM

How might it affect the ecosystem?

PPH is short for polyglycol ethers. "...PPH represented a relatively small percentage (approximately 7.3% by weight) of the total amount in the tank. Toxicologic information on PPH is limited. Based on the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provided by the manufacturer, the reported toxicity of this material appears to be lower than the toxicity of MCHM (LD50 > 2000 mg/kg for the primary component of PPH vs. 825 mg/kg for MCHM). Given the small percentage of PPH in the tank, it is likely that any amount of PPH currently in the water system would be extremely low. An initial review of the currently available toxicologic information does not suggest any new health concerns associated with the release of PPH. At this point, toxicologic information about PPH is limited..."

(http://emergency.cdc.gov/chemical/MCHM/westvirginia2014/)

• Freedom Industries should be fined for the spill
• The chemicals should be studied and tested extensively to determine what, if any, the short- and long-term effects are on people and the environment
• The chemical storage tanks should be removed immediately and/or relocated in a place far away from any large bodies of water
• The chemicals should be contained and removed from the water (if that's possible)
• If removal is not possible, then the pipes and river should be flushed out until the levels of MCHM are undetectable
• Do not eat fish or any other things from the river for at least 6 months following the spill (as a precaution)
• People should not drink the water until the chemical is removed and/or flushed out
• The chemical shouldn't be a problem after a few weeks, but we can't be sure until more research is done regarding the long-term effects of the chemical

There really isn't a lot of information about either of any of the chemicals, and there is almost none about any long-term effects on people and wildlife. It could possibly be toxic to some fish, but nobody really knows for sure because it's barely been tested.

MCHM is short for 4-methylcyclohexane methanol. The spill was mostly made up of this chemical.

"This chemical is used to:

• Wash coal before it goes to market to reduce ash, also known as the "froth flotation process" of coal preparation

People can be exposed to this chemical by:

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Skin and/or eye contact"

(http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/10/health/west-virginia-chemical/)

"Symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Headaches (ranging in severity)
• Diarrhea
• Reddened skin
• Itching
• Rashes"

(http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2014/images/01/10/wv.chemical.water.spill.pdf)

The

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Summary

Who is responsible for the spill?

By

Suzanna

and

Jasniah

This is a complicated question. Several people/groups are, in some way, responsible for the spill.

• The EPA and West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) - They obviously did not inspect the tanks as frequently as they should have, and they didn't have Freedom Industries create a proper water pollution plan. Also, they allowed the tanks of chemicals to be placed upriver of a major water treatment facility.
• Freedom Industries - They didn't maintain their tanks, they didn't tell people how to deal with a spill, at first they lied about how much spilled, they didn't say anything about the second chemical in the tank, they didn't create a water pollution plan "just in case", they claim not to know how to deal clean up the chemicals or how they affect people/the environment, and they aren't being very helpful when it comes to cleaning up and helping people

On January 9, 2014 Freedom Industries, a West Virginia chemical company, spilled approximately 10,000 gallons of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM) and PPH into the Elk River (right). The spill happened upriver from a water treatment plant, so the water from that plant was contaminated and it smelled like licorice. Freedom Industries was sued by about 20 people, but they filed for bankruptcy, which could make them not have to pay some of the people who sued.

What is the threat of the spill?

http://www.southeastflyfishingforum.com/forum/elk-river-west-virginia-t30685.html?s=2edf29830eeeb68efa3652f29e3b1d29&

The threat of the spill is determined by several factors, shown below (with answers).

1. How many people were impacted? Around 400 people were sick and about 100,000 West Virginia American Water customers were affected, or about 300,000 people total.

2. How was the water supply impacted? The chemicals leaked into the water supply for several counties. State officials said it was "up to them" (meaning West Virginia American Water customers) if the people in affected areas wanted to use the water. A boil water notice was put out for several weeks after the spill in affected areas, as well.

3. What is the scope (range) of the spill? The spill affected around 300,000 people spanning across 9 counties in West Virginia.

Elk River Chemical Spill