IP Explosion: Officials Talk Black Liquor Dangers, Cleanup Work

January 25, 2017

International Paper joined government officials at a press conference Tuesday afternoon to detail the dangers of “black liquor” and remediation plans follow an explosion Sunday night.

IP’s Cantonment mill experienced significant structural damage to their largest pulp digester and power house during an explosion. The incident caused a mixture of wood fiber, water and black liquor to be released into the surrounding aera.

“We are incredibly thankful that no one was hurt, that no one was injured during this incident,” Mill Manager Bretton Dejong said. “We absolutely regret the disruption it has caused to the neighboring communities, our friends and neighbors. We’ve been here a long time and we’re very proud of our history, we’re proud of our community, and we hate that we’ve impacted our community.”

A top priority is remediation, he said.

For the first time in the nearly 48 hours after the accident, Dejong became the first International Paper employee to acknowledge that the black substance that rained down around the plant following the explosion was “black liquor”. The Florida Highway Patrol had referred to it as “black liquor” in a Monday morning press release, saying the substance was a skin, eye and respiratory irritant, but other government and IP officials had not used the term or detailed health hazards.

“Black liquor is a material that has elevated PH and is a byproduct of our pulping process. It is actually produced when the cooking chemicals are consumed during the cooking process,” he said.

Dr. John Lanza, director of the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, said the black liquor no longer poses a significant public health risk as it may have when airborne immediately following the explosion.

He said the remaining health threat at this time is physical contact with the material.

“If you are trying to clean your house or something like that, you need to stay away from this material as much as you possibly can. The health issue is skin irritation,” Lanza said, adding that any contact area should be washed with soap and water. He advised people continued skin irritation or other issues from the material to contact a physician or go to the nearest emergency department.

Residents of the Woodbury area near the plant, an area covered in a layer of black liquor, have told NorthEscambia.com that they were concerned that they were being told not to touch the material and simply wash it off, but workers hired by IP to clean up the neighborhood were wearing protective hazardous material clothing.

Chris Russell of the U.S. EPA said that he has in the areas surrounding the plant dressed in ordinary street clothing.

“I have daughters that I love, and I am not going to let them go without a dad, and this is how I look when I go out there….that being said, when we have the workers out there  they are going to be pressure washing and scrubbing. The is the possibility that they are going to get stuff..in their eyes and what not. So you will see them in a little bit more of protective gear.”

International Paper has set up a hotline for residents. Individuals with questions or concerns pertaining to Sunday night’s incident can contact the information hotline at (850) 968-4208. The number is available 24 hours a day until further notice.

Pictured above and below: Remediation efforts underway Tuesday afternoon on Woodbury Circle in Cantonment. Pictured below: Members of the Unified Command discuss the Sunday night explosion at the International Paper mill in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “IP Explosion: Officials Talk Black Liquor Dangers, Cleanup Work”

  1. David Huie Green on January 28th, 2017 5:09 pm

    REGARDING:
    “What can residents expect as far as damage to our lawns from the oil ?”

    It isn’t oil.

    David for distinctions making a difference

  2. H Morton on January 25th, 2017 10:52 pm

    What can residents expect as far as damage to our lawns from the oil ? I’m referring to lawns that you will find at a golf course.

  3. Rosemary Simpson on January 25th, 2017 7:47 pm

    I would like to know what they are going to do about all that black liquor material that is in own woods?

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News