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Department of Ecology News Release - August 29, 2008
08-239
YAKIMA – A fruit packing facility has been fined $10,000 for failing to properly respond to an ammonia leak from its refrigeration system. The ammonia release sickened at least one resident and resulted in an evacuation of the nearby area.
Snokist Growers in Sawyer has been cited by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) for not reporting the leak to authorities and did not cooperate during an initial investigation of the incident.
Between 60 and 80 gallons of anhydrous ammonia was released from the plant on June 19, 2008. About two hours after the release, a report of strong ammonia fumes was made to the local fire department by a passerby, who dialed 9-1-1. The fire department responded to the call, set up a road block and stopped all traffic west of the location at Lombard Loop and Clark Road in Yakima County. The fire department also began evacuating residents in the area. At least one person reported becoming ill from exposure to the ammonia.
State law requires that accidental spills or hazardous releases to the air be reported to local emergency authorities and to the local regional office of the Department of Ecology.
No notification was made by Snokist Growers to any agency, including the fire department, Yakima County or Washington State emergency management departments, Yakima County Regional Clean Air Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, or the Central Regional Office of Ecology.
Facilities that work with certain hazardous chemicals are also required to file a “Tier 2” report with local fire departments to assist in emergencies. No such report detailing the chemicals at the plant is on file with the local fire district.
“This is a serious violation,” explained Dick Granberg with Ecology’s Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction program. “Because no report was made to authorities the response was slowed and people put at risk.”
Ammonia gas can cause eyes to tear, inflammation to the respiratory system, and permanent damage to lung tissue.
Snokist has 30 days to pay the penalty, or apply for relief from the penalty to Ecology, or file an appeal of the penalty with the state Pollution Control Hearings Board.
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Media Contacts:
Joye Redfield-Wilder, 509-575-2610; jred461@ecy.wa.gov
Dick Granberg, hazardous waste toxic reduction program, 509-457-7147;
dgra461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
