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Representing Victims of Hazardous Materials Fire in Apex, NC

On October 18, 2006 emergency crews evacuated businesses in the vicinity of a chemical waste plant after a chemical reaction sent a toxic plume into the air two weeks after a raging inferno at the same site forced thousands of people from their homes. The drum consisted of a sodium metal solution that can ignite when exposed to water or air, said Apex Mayor Keith Weatherly. The irritating fumes created by the reaction reportedly caused burning eyes.

The chemical plant belonging to EQ Industrial Services Co. had erupted in flames on Oct. 5, 2006 illuminating the sky with explosions and blanketing parts of town in a yellow-green haze. Town officials had urged as many as 17,000 people to evacuate, citing potentially toxic fumes that had made a few dozen people seek medical attention.

The toxic reaction erupted one day after the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources had approved the company's cleanup plan. The agency closed down the work at the site and asked EQ Industrial to provide a written report detailing the cause of latest reaction and steps being taken to ensure public safety. State regulators say more tests will be conducted on the ground and water and they expect to release a report on air quality later this week.

A serious hazardous materials fire in North Carolina has forced 17,000 residents to evacuate. Hospital officials said 18 people were already sent to emergency rooms, and more injuries resulting from burns and inhalation were expected.

The fire was at Environmental Quality Co., a hazardous waste business that housed a variety of highly toxic chemicals, including chlorine, paints and solvents. Because of the chemicals involved, firefighters believe the best option might be to simply wait for the fire to burn itself out.

Of the 18 people hospitalized, eight were law enforcement officers and one is a firefighter who complained of nausea and respiratory problems. Nine other residents were being treated for "respiratory distress.”

The inhalation of higher concentrations of chlorine can lead to respiratory distress, causing airway constriction and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs). Patients exposed to chlorine may have immediate onset of rapid breathing, blue discoloration of the skin, wheezing, rales or hemoptysis. In symptomatic patients, pulmonary injury may progress over several hours. Lung collapse may occur. The lowest lethal concentration for a 30-minute exposure has been estimated as 430 ppm. Exposure to chlorine can lead to reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS), a chemical irritant-induced type of asthma.

Children may be more vulnerable to corrosive agents than adults because of the smaller diameter of their airways. Children may also be more vulnerable to gas exposure because of increased minute ventilation per kg and failure to evacuate an area promptly when exposed.

Long term exposure to chlorine, which usually occurs in the workplace, is also linked with cancer, corrosion of the teeth, flu-like symptoms and a high risk of developing reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS).