Representatives with the US Nitrogen facility in Mosheim say malfunctions during two separate attempted startups of the nitric acid plant prompted what the plant called a “more prominent emission” than usual, which was that orange colored cloud seen by area residents over the facility around 7:00 am Sunday
A text message shared with WGRV read that U. S. Nitrogen sent an alert just after 7:00 AM of an unsuccessful startup at the plant that resulted in the release of NOX, or nitrogen oxide gas, which resulted in the orange colored cloud. The alert said that the gas was dissipating into the atmosphere and was leaving the site. The text said there was no danger to the public.
Just before 9:00 am, another text was sent that said there had been a second failed startup and more gas had been released into the atmosphere.
A statement from the parent company Austin Powder confirmed that there has been no harm to human health or the environment.
U. S. Nitrogen provided the following statement:
“US Nitrogen experienced a malfunction during a routine startup of our nitric acid plant. The nitric acid plant’s exhaust stack was noted to have a more prominent emission than typical. The plant was immediately shutdown and secured. All local and government authorities were promptly notified of the situation. US Nitrogen is currently investigating the root cause of the malfunction. At this time we can confirm that there has been no harm to human health or the environment.”
U. S. Nitrogen did not need any local emergency response. Residents in the area told Radio Greeneville news that the warning siren at the plant was not activated. A representative told Radio Greeneville News that “the event had no potential for harm to human health or the environment” which did not necessitate the need to activate the warning siren.
