NRC#744387 - East Point, Fulton County, GA - An unknown reaction occurred in a storage tank containing glacial acetic acid at the Brenntag MidSouth Facility (a chemical distributor), resulting in a vapor cloud. The release was on-going due to the high temperatures involved and the instability of the tank. The local fire and police departments conducted an evacuation of the area within a 1.4 mile radius of the facility. Approximately 1300 people were sheltered and 6 schools were closed, along with some businesses. No fire was involved. The Atlanta Fire Department, Atlanta Hazmat, East Point Fire Department, Fulton County Police, Fulton County EMA, MARTA, GEMA, GAEPD, the RP's contractor (Hulcher), and a representative for the RP are all on-site. The main Command Post for the incident is located at the East Point Fire Station #1. At approximately 0100 EPA OSC Jones was dispatched, along with 2 START personnel and the necessary equipment to assist with air monitoring. At 0620 the EPA R4 small Mobile Command Post (MCP) and OSC Jardine were dispatched to the incident to further assist with the response. EPA is coordinating with Atlanta Fire and Police to conduct air modeling. At approximately 0900 the tank and the reaction appeared to begin stabilizing on its own. Tank and air monitoring are on-going, with the anticipation that transfer of the remaining product will occur. Evacuation is still in place.
