ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — More than 50 people sought medical attention after a chemical spill at a distilling plant that released a noxious cloud in northeast Kansas.
The Kansas Department of Emergency Management says the cloud occurred Friday morning when two chemicals were mistakenly combined at the MGP Ingredients plant in Atchison. The department says people were allowed back into their homes after the cloud dissipated a few hours later.
Atchison Hospital spokeswoman T.C. Roberts says 52 people sought care at the hospital’s emergency room for upper respiratory discomfort. Roberts says one person remained in intensive care Friday afternoon. She says some were treated and released but did not know how many. Mosaic Life Care is reporting it treated 18 people Friday for respiratory issues due to the plume. It said patients ranged from children to older adults.
MGP produces premium distilled spirits. It employs about 300 people at the Atchison plant, about 50 miles from Kansas City.
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11:50 a.m.
Authorities say it’s safe for residents to return home and for students to go back to school now that a noxious cloud that formed over their northeast Kansas community has dissipated.
The Kansas Department of Emergency Management says the cloud occurred Friday morning when sulfuric acid and sodium hypochlorite were mistakenly combined at the MGP Ingredients plant in Atchison.
Emergency officials ordered the evacuation of schools and homes near the plant earlier Friday, but lifted the evacuation order when the chemical cloud cleared later in the morning.
MGP produces premium distilled spirits and employs about 300 people at the plant in Atchison, 50 miles northwest of Kansas City.
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(Post Staff) – The City of Atchison, Kan has been given the all-clear after a chemical spill Friday morning at MGP Ingredients.
The all clear was issued shortly before 11 a.m. This came after a chemical plume was caused around 8 a.m. when two chemicals were inadvertently mixed together during delivery at MGP near the sewer plant.
“One chemical was delivering and was inadvertently put into the wrong holding tank which caused the reaction,” Cocking said.
Cocking said MGP employees are heading back to work.
“We are working with the company and toxicology officials,” said City Manager Trey Cocking. “They have advised us that people can go ahead and return at this time. It’s just a matter of it dissipating at this time. Since we’ve had no injuries it’s just a matter of it dissipating.”
Cocking said around 18 people including five city workers are being treated for respiratory discomfort and the injuries appear to be minor. He said those people are being kept for observation.
“The plume covered good portions of the city. As the wind shifted downtown was affected early this morning and then the wind shifted more to the west,” Cocking said.
MPG is a distillery which supplies distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches.
Cocking said the plume is moving northwest out of the city and that it does not seem to be a threat. While the plume was over the city residents were urged to shelter indoors, keeping their windows closed and AC or furnace off. Shelter locations were set up at Walmart and the Atchison Event Center. Children have since been returned to schools however some schools were evacuated and others sheltered inside for a while.
The Atchison Fire Department is asking people returning to their homes or businesses after evacuation to call 911 if they notice a strong smell of bleach or visible fog so that the fire department can assist with ventilating homes or businesses.
Highways heading into Atchison have reopened.
(AP and Post)