North Charleston residents have expressed concerns and are calling for better communication after a chemical spill occurred at a nearby plant. The incident involved the release of around 10 pounds of the toxic chemical phosphorus from a clogged pipe at the Lanxess chemical plant on June 21. While officials have stated that the incident was short-lived and didn’t expect any impact on residents or the environment, community members are demanding more transparency and information regarding their safety.
Alarms were sounded to alert homeowners in the area, but many claim that the plant failed to communicate the reason behind the emergency signals. In response, Representative Wendell Gilliard organized a community meeting on Friday, providing residents with the opportunity to ask questions to Lanxess representatives and officials from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).
During the meeting, Nancy Button, the President of the Rosemont Neighborhood Council, expressed her concerns about the lack of information provided by the plant, especially considering the number of children playing outside during the summer. Other residents shared worries about the air quality and the potential health risks associated with living near the plant, with some citing instances of cancer-related deaths in the community.
Representative Gilliard, who had previously worked at the plant in the 90s, emphasized the need for improved quality testing and holding the company responsible for their actions. He also shared his personal connection to a fatal explosion at the facility that occurred in the past, which claimed the lives of nine employees, including his best friend.
This recent incident adds to a series of chemical spills reported at the Lanxess plant since 2018. In 2019, another phosphorus leak forced residents to shelter-in-place and temporarily closed down sections of I-26 due to a large plume of smoke caused by a fire and the chemical leak.
The concerns raised by community members are further highlighted by air quality monitors located near the plant. As of Friday, one monitor reported an average reading of 167, indicating potential health effects for the general public within 24 hours of exposure.
In response to the incident and community concerns, Lanxess issued a statement acknowledging the need for improvement in their site protocols. They expressed their commitment to working towards a safer environment and preventing future incidents from occurring. Company representatives also assured residents that they are actively working to establish a better communication process with the community.
However, some community members left the meeting feeling unsatisfied, with Tyler Dugas emphasizing the importance of addressing the root causes of these incidents rather than just improving communication. The repeated occurrence of these incidents without effective preventive measures raises concerns among residents about their safety and the overall reliability of the plant.
Moving forward, the DHEC is working on compiling a summary of incidents that have taken place at the plant over the past five years. This summary will provide a comprehensive overview of the facility’s safety record and help determine the necessary steps for preventing future incidents.
The chemical spill in North Charleston has sparked a local movement for better communication, accountability, and overall safety in the area. Residents are advocating for stringent safety protocols, improved communication with the community, and proactive measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. As the investigation into the recent chemical spill continues, it remains to be seen whether the concerns of residents will be addressed adequately to ensure their peace of mind and well-being.
Overall, it is evident that the affected community is seeking answers and reassurance, emphasizing the importance of open communication, transparency, and a commitment to improving safety measures at the Lanxess chemical plant.
