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Chemical spill at Ciba injures one Ciba Corporation has confirmed that the McIntosh facility experienced a vapor release containing hydrochloric acid, around 6:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 11. According to company spokesperson Denise Taylor, steps were quickly taken to prevent exposure by initiating shelterin place procedures for the company's employees and surrounding neighbors. Appropriate local emergency response officials were notified of the incident and assisted in the situation. One employee was treated on site for inhalation exposure and was transported to Springhill Memorial Hospital in Mobile for further treatment and observation. Our thoughts right now are with the employee and his family, and we are grateful that current indications are his condition is stable," said Taylor. McIntosh Police were the first to arrive on the scene. According to Officer Walter Conner, the department immediately began to gather information, set up roadblocks and direct traffic as requested by Ciba company officials. Other departments responding included the McIntosh Fire Department, McIntosh Rescue Squad, Washington County Sheriff's Department, Washington County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and Alabama Department of Conservation. Sheriff Richard Stringer reported that although he received notification of the incident, it was one and 1/2 hours after it took place. "I feel we should be one of the first departments notified when such an emergency situation takes place," he said. "Our department was flooded with calls from citizens about the incident and we didn't know anything about it. We were eventually called to respond to Ciba, but we were not told what had happened." Washington County E-911 Director Tina Fowler said, Tuesday, that established procedure was followed by notifying the McIntosh Police Department first because Ciba is within its jurisdiction. "We notified McIntosh Police and Chief Mike Barnett established incident command according to protocal," she said. "When he realized he needed additional officers he notified us and the Washington County Sheriff's Department was called. We contacted the main gate at Ciba because there was too much noise for use of the radio. They told us they needed police assistance, so we contacted McIntosh Police. We were following the established protocal." Washington County EMA Director Stewart Jackson was at the scene in the event that assistance from other emergency management agencies in the surrounding counties was needed. "The Ciba Emergency Response Team should be recognized for its quick response during this incident," he said. "Their training and operational readiness is top notch and it paid off during Monday's situation." He pointed out that the Ciba Emergency Response Team serves as the hazmat emergency response team for the county as well. The all-clear signal was sounded at 9:45 a.m., allowing the community and employees at the site to return to normal activities and operations. Ciba officials are currently investigating the cause of the incident to learn what happened and will take appropriate corrective action. "We regret this incident resulted in the cancellation of classes at the two McIntosh school campuses, but will continue to take every precaution when it comes to safeguarding health and safety," Taylor added. Ciba Corporation manufactures hundreds of products for the plastics and paper industries and employs more than 550 people at its McIntosh facility.
(Some information provided by Ciba spokesperson Denise Taylor.)
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