LONGVIEW, Wash. — The final deceased worker has been recovered from the Nippon Dynawave packaging plant in Longview, where a chemical tank exploded earlier this week. Officials gave an update on Saturday.
On Friday, officials shared that they’re using vacuum trucks and hundreds of feet of hose to clean up the water and chemical mixtures that have impeded their recovery efforts. As a result, they reached new areas today that they haven’t yet been able to access.
Agencies met with Nippon Dynawave’s cleanup team Friday to discuss next steps after the recovery mission has concluded. They did not share the details of what that will look like.
The Environmental Protection Agency also shared an update on the PH concerns in surrounding dikes and ditches. They said last night’s flushing efforts have made improvements and the last two rounds of results show the PH levels are back in a normal range for most areas.
According to the Department of Ecology, all fishing and recreational activities on the Columbia River have been deemed safe. The agency said they’ve collected 23 dead fish that were impacted by water with chemicals and are trying to figure out how to collect the rest. If anyone in the area sees a dead fish, they’re told not to touch it. Instead, report it to this hotline: 1 (800) 222-4737.
Drinking water remains safe, according to the Public Works Director. Those living in the area may experience a rotten egg smell. According to Public Works, there is no need to panic - this is a good thing. It is the hydrogen sulfite being released as the chemicals are being diluted and demonstrates that the pumping is working.
What happened on Tuesday?
At approximately 7:18 a.m. Tuesday, the Longview Fire Department (LFD) responded to a hazardous material incident at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company.
According to fire officials, a tank containing hundreds of thousands of gallons of a highly acidic chemical called white liquor ruptured. Images from the aftermath show flipped cars and a crushed vat.
The first death was confirmed the day of the disaster. Nine people were rushed to the hospital, where a day later, a second person died.
Multiple state agencies have been called in to help with cleanup and the investigation, including the National Guard, the Department of Health, the Department of Ecology, and the Department of Labor and Industries.
Governor Bob Ferguson has called this the deadliest industrial tragedy in state history.
Emergency officials said it is still not clear what caused the vat to fail.
About Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company
The Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company is a kraft pulp and paper mill and liquid packaging plant. The pulp and paper mill currently has roughly 550 employees, while the liquid packaging plant has about 450 employees, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
According to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), there are currently two unrelated, ongoing inspections open at Nippon Dynawave.
“One, we opened in March after we received an anonymous complaint over concerns about a valve on an aqua ammonia clarifier tank. It was not the same tank involved in today’s incident. The other opened in May after a complaint about a sinkhole created by a failed drain,” wrote L&I in a social media post on Tuesday. “We’ve inspected the site three other times in the last five years, citing for various violations that weren’t related to chemical process or storage safety, like fall protection or failure to wear face coverings.”
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