IP Explosion: Remediation Efforts, Cleanup Continue

January 26, 2017

Here is the latest information following Sunday night’s explosion at International Paper in Cantonment.

Remediation Efforts

  • The Unified Command is working to deal with the impacts of the incident, including taking action to protect residents near the facility and assessing the extent of the damage and possible health and environmental effects.
  • The mill remains closed while the structural damage is assessed by International Paper. Communications with employees has been maintained.
  • The timetable for completion of remediation is yet to be determined.
  • Remediation resources will be in place until this process is complete.

Community Outreach

  • As of Wednesday afternoon, approximately 120 neighborhood households have been contacted by the outreach teams.
  • IP teams continue to go door-to-door in the immediate area to provide information on resources available for community members regarding clean-up, temporary housing and potential medical concerns.
  • The Unified Command Team is furnishing information regarding remediation timelines and providing numbers for residents to call with their questions.

Potential Health Impacts

  • As was reported yesterday, the most noticeable effects of the incident were the odor and presence of byproducts of the pulping process.
  • Prolonged skin contact with these materials could cause minor irritation. People are encouraged to avoid coming into contact with these materials. If they do, washing with soap and warm water should provide relief. The same applies to pets.

Environmental Impacts

  • Environmental monitoring and sampling is underway until cleanup is complete.
  • The material may cause impact to vegetation or aquatic life.
  • An environmental assessment is being conducted to determine what areas may be impacted. Once the assessment is completed, full-scale remediation actions will be implemented.

Residents with any questions concerning the incident should call 850-968-4208.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “IP Explosion: Remediation Efforts, Cleanup Continue”

  1. David Huie Green on January 26th, 2017 8:34 pm

    REGARDING:
    “You people need to read the full MSDS on black liquor. Keep saying its a minor problem”

    Folks have been dealing with this paper making process since 1879.
    ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraft_process )

    As to the MSDS:

    https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=MSDS+on+black+liquor

    Avoid it if it is hot. It no longer is, nor likely was it when it reached the surface.

    Don’t breathe it as mist. It did not come down as mist.

    Gas concentration was initially typically less than 1%. Much lower by the time it reached the surface, much lower than that after an hour, much lower than that the next day,…

    Hitting it with acids will produce H2S which is toxic at high enough levels, would mostly just stink in amounts encountered. (same as rotten eggs)

    The main danger was when it was boiling hot. That ended several seconds after the digester blew.

    Biodegrades naturally. Has an oxygen demand while doing so. H2S is released quickly and gone, other components are released slowly and in low concentrations unless you agitate it. Not likely to be a problem here.

    Most common way of getting rid of it is simply using it again in paper making. That likely won’t work here, too dispersed.

    None of the components are listed under Cal. Prop. 65. (Proposition 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm.)

    Don’t drink it. It is full of wood fibers.

    Don’t boil it and pour it on yourself. Boiling liquids are harmful.

    David for doomsayers

  2. Mrs. Dee on January 26th, 2017 8:33 pm

    Does anyone know how much white liquor was in the mix that was spewed out by the explosion? I’ve read online that it is of much more concern, medically speaking, and that it is a common component in this pulp digestion process.

  3. Henry Coe on January 26th, 2017 4:21 pm

    Did any of the fallout land south of Countri Ln ?

  4. My2Cents on January 26th, 2017 1:21 pm

    I would like to suggest that IP get a claim verification team to check on potential claims. I’ve heard rumors of people starting to create falsehoods in order to get money/services for free.

  5. JET JR on January 26th, 2017 10:00 am

    You people need to read the full MSDS on black liquor. Keep saying its a minor problem. I live in the effected area. I quess yall didnt know but people are in the hospital because of this.