2014 Elk River chemical spill

2014 Elk River chemical spill

government response

On January 9, West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency, and activated the West Virginia National Guard. Governor Tomblin ordered residents within the spill's affected areas to "continue to refrain from using the water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing and washing." United States President Barack Obama further declared the chemical spill a Federal state of emergency. On January 10, FEMA (national guard) had sent 75 trucks, each carrying about 4,900 of water. By the morning of January 11, the United States Department of Homeland Security had sent 16 tractor trailers of bottled water to 16 distribution centers around the Charleston metropolitan area. At a news conference on January 11, FEMA officials announced that they had already brought approximately 370,000 of potable water into affected areas

threat to human health

Little is known about MM's potential effects on human health, or about its effects on aquatic environments. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, if consumed the chemical may provoke the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, reddened/burning skin and/or eyes, itching, and rashes.

Both health and company officials have stated the chemical consumption is not known to be fatal, even if it were to be consumed in its purest form. The chemical leaked was highly diluted due to the large amount of water involved. However, due to the potential health effects, authorities advised over 300,000 residents in surrounding communities to avoid utilizing the water for any needs at all.

what actually happened?

The spill began on January 9, 2014 when up to 7,500 US gallons of crude MM leaked from a one-inch hole in the bottom of a stainless steel storage tank capable of holding 40,000 US gallons (imperial gallons) and its containment area at Freedom Industries' Charleston facility. The MM leaked from the containment area and into the ground, where it then traveled into the Elk River. The chemical spill occurred 1 mile upstream from West Virginia American Water's drinking water intake and treatment and distribution center. By early morning there were already complaints about a sweet smell in the air. The DEP took action as soon as they could and started to vacuum and haul away the chemical waste.

environmental impact

Methylcyclohexane

methanol

background:

The chemical's manufacturer, Eastman Chemical Company, maintains that when MM is diluted, the compound does not have adverse effects on the aquatic environment. No fish kills were reported following the spill and there was no apparent affect on aquatic life, according to West Virginia state officials. As of 2008, the Elk River serves as the sole remaining habitat for the diamond darter. But only recently on July 26, 2013, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service formally designated the diamond darter as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.The potential risk of the chemical spill to the diamond darter has not been reported.

Methylcylohexan methanol is an organic compound that is a colorless oil with a black licorice sent. The compound is slightly soluble in water but not much. In this particular instance is was supposed to be used in the cleaning of coal. The MM compound is used as a frothing agent, and finely divides coal particles so that they can adhere to air bubbles induced into the agent which rise to the surface. The MM chemical also helps to smooth and remove impurities that contribute to pollution during combustion.

Inspectors cited a 4-foot wide stream of chemical liquid flowing across the floor of the containment dike and into the ground where the dike's wall joined with its floor. According to DEP inspectors, they discovered a pool of clear liquid measuring approximately 400 square feet in size outside of the damaged white stainless steel tank, which was capable of holding 30,000 gallons.

Residents were advised not to drink, cook with, bathe, or wash anything with West Virginia American Water tap water. Up to 300,000 residents were affected by the contamination in the water. The area affected spanned nine counties within the Charleston, West Virginia metropolitan area.

By that evening of January 10, nearly 700 residents had contacted West Virginia's poison control center, reporting a range of symptoms including nausea and rashes. On January 13, the total number of residents who had been hospitalized had risen to 10, and by January 14, the total reached 14, although none were in were in serious condition.

The DEP stated that 7,500 gallons of MM had spilled into the river, 2,500 gallons more than had previously been estimated.

Freedom Industries' is a company that distributes chemicals used in coal mining. Freedom Industries' Charleston facility is located along the Elk River, approximately 1.5 miles upstream from the river's point of meeting with the Kanawha River. The facility stored chemicals in 14 storage tanks with a capacity of 4 million gallons. However, the facility stored chemicals, but did not conduct coal cleaning. The facility had also not been inspected since 1991 when it was previously owned by Pennzoil.

bibliography

end result

-Botelho, Greg, AnneClaire Stapleton, Mike Ahlers, Paul Caron, Ashley Fantz, Ed Payne, Marlena Baldacci, Kevin Conlon, Susan Candiotti, and Dave Alsup. "Chemical Levels in West Virginia Water Drop, but Still No End in Sight to Ban." CNN. Cable News Network, 11 Jan. 2014. Web. 20 Jan. 2014.

-"2014 Elk River Chemical Spill." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Jan. 2014. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

-Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

-Lavender, Paige. "Look How Gross The Water Is After The Chemical Spill In West Virginia." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 15 Jan. 2014. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

-"Over 100 West Virginians Visit Emergency Room After Water Ban Lifted For Some." Americans Against the Tea Party. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.

As a result of West Virginia American Water's notice that the tap water was unsafe following the spill, Charleston area businesses were shuttered and hospitals took emergency measures to conserve water. School systems within the affected eight counties were also closed. Charleston area residents scrambled to nearby stores to stock up on available bottled and packaged water, Luckily since January 9 the water has returned to a normal drinking state. However they are still saying pregnant women should not drink it until the chemical is no longer detectable at all.