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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Feb. 22, 1999
99-036
Contact: Jani Gilbert, Public Information Manager, (509) 456-4464
SPOKANE-The Washington state Department of Ecology has fined Advanced Silicon Materials, Inc. in Moses Lake $10,000 for releasing toxic chemicals on Oct. 8, 1998.
A broken pipe caused a fire and explosion, which caused toxic chemicals to react with the atmosphere to form hydrochloric acid. Wind currents carried the plume of hydrochloric acid about two miles north of the facility.
The toxic release killed two workers and injured four more. The chemical plume damaged residential property, vehicles and equipment, prompting area residents to file more than 30 individual damage claims with Advanced Silicon Materials, Inc. Ecology considered these damage reports in its decision to penalize the company.
The chemicals released from the plant included hydrogen, about 28,000 pounds of silicon tetrachloride and more than 6,000 pounds of trichlorosilane, all of which are used by Advanced Silicon Materials, Inc. to refine silicon, producing polysilicon.
Both silicon tetrachloride and trichlorosilane can form hydrochloric acid when they come in contact with water vapor in the air. The release created about 14 tons of hydrochloric acid, which reacts strongly with metals and corrodes metals and other materials. The acid also can burn the skin and lung tissues of humans and animals.
The fine by Ecology covers only the environmental damage caused by the acid-mist plume. Separately, the Department of Labor & Industries is investigating the workplace-safety issues associated with the incident.
Advanced Silicon Materials, Inc. may appeal this penalty to the Department of Ecology or to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
