On December 19, 2005, at approximately 0920 hours, OSC Easton received a phone call from the Wheeling Fire Department regarding an explosion and spill that occurred at the Centre Foundry & Machine Company, located at 74 Warwood Drive, Wheeling, WV, 26003. The Assistant Fire Chief indicated that the chemicals involved furfuryl alcohol and toluenesulfonic acid. At approximately 0935 hours, the OSC dispatched the Wheeling WV START Core Emergency Response Team (CERT) to the scene. While enroute, the OSC contacted the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) and alerted them to the spill.
The OSC and START arrived on scene at 1013 hours and met with Wheeling Fire Department personnel and the plant safety director. The incident location was in the north lot of the plant and the area was barricaded off with caution tape. As a result of the explosion, an estimated 300 gallons (3,000 pounds) of material spilled and a liquid chemical substance was observed spread across an area of 30-50 foot radius. Dirt had been piled to create a dike, and spread on the spill to absorb and prevent migration. The material was contained and was not observed to have traveled off of the site.
The fire department representative informed the OSC that two persons, a truck driver and his helper had been sent to the hospital with injuries sustained from the chemicals. The safety director indicated that furfuryl alcohol was being pumped from a tanker truck into a cubic yard container. Apparently, toluenesulfonic acid was in the container and a reaction between the two chemicals occurred resulting in an explosion. The safety director provided MSDS information for the spilled substances and contacted Weavertown Environmental Services to mobilize and conduct the cleanup. The substances are routinely mixed with sand at the foundry to form a hardened resin used in their molding process.
START conducted air monitoring for VOCs, LEL, oxygen, toluene, and pH. No measurements were observed above background levels for ambient air, however, a strong sweet odor was observed. Puddles of the black, tar-like material were observed on the frozen ground where infiltration rates were likely low. The material coated the tanker truck, a building, and other objects in the yard. START observed the ruptured cubic yard transfer container, a transfer hose, and PPE near the source of the explosion.
The OSC met with the WVOES Director, a WVDEP representative, the Plant Safety Director, and Weavertown Project Manager. It was determined that WVDEP would have jurisdiction for oversight of the spill cleanup to be conducted by the Plant and their cleanup contractor.
The OSC anticipates no further removal/response actions will be conducted at this time.
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