By By GREG KATSKI
Community Editor
An 8,000 pound-plus ammonia leak on an unloading rail car at PCS Phosphate’s rail transfer station left 18 with inhalation problems Friday afternoon. Of the 18 affected, 15 were sent to CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern with minor breathing problems and two were taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital with more serious breathing issues, according to John Pack, emergency management coordinator for Beaufort County.
Four victims of the accident remained in area hospitals at press time Saturday — two at CarolinaEast and two at Pitt County Memorial.
“They are hopefully getting the treatment they need,” Pack said.
Although it is not clear whether the remaining victims were PCS employees or contractors, of the 17 individuals initially taken to the area hospitals, 10 were employees and seven were contractors, according to media reports.
The ammonia leak occurred at the Aurora company’s rail transfer station at about 2 p.m. when a line was ruptured in a rail car unloading chemicals. The line ruptured when a rubber seal on the rail car blew out, Pack said.
The emergency management coordinator suspects that the two individuals in serious condition at Pitt County Memorial Hospital released the gas valve and were starting the flow on the ammonia line when it ruptured, and therefore were immediately exposed to the gas.
He said the leak, which was estimated to be between 8,000 and 9,000 pounds, could’ve harmed more individuals had a deluge gas system not been automatically deployed. The system, which sprays a mist of water to immediately kill the toxic gas, kept the ammonia inside the plant’s boundaries, Pack said.
A technical team provided by PCS Phosphate donned protective suits and repaired the ruptured line, while others at the plant came to the aid of those exposed to the gas, Pack said. The accident caused a partial evacuation of the plant.
Emergency rescue personnel from Aurora and Pamlico County responded to the accident and transported some individuals affected by the leak to CarolinaEast Medical Center. An ambulance provided by the plant took the two individuals seriously injured to Pitt County Memorial Hospital.
Pack said he plans to visit the plant early this week to follow up on the leak.
He said it’s important to remember that accidents such as Friday’s are always a possibility at plants dealing with toxic chemicals like PCS Phosphate.
“Anytime you’ve got a facility like this, accidents can happen,” he said. “You just have to hope you’re ahead of the game.”