Two Kansas companies pay $1 million each for releasing toxic gas cloud over Atchison
Two Kansas companies have each paid $1 million in fines for releasing toxic gas that surrounded Atchison, prompting more than 100 people to seek medical attention in 2016.
Harcros Chemicals, based in Kansas City, Kansas, and MGP Ingredients, headquartered in Atchison, pleaded guilty to negligently violating the Clean Air Act, which is a misdemeanor, according to the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas.
U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Crabtree sentenced the companies Wednesday.
On Oct. 21, 2016, a Harcros driver delivering sulfuric acid arrived at Midwest Grain Product’s Atchison facility. The driver mistakenly connected the hose to a line of sodium hypochlorite instead of sulfuric acid, court documents said.
A toxic plume of chemicals formed over Atchison, prompting a partial evacuation.
Witnesses who were outside at the time described a chlorine smell and said it was difficult to breathe.
More than 140 community members, emergency responders and employees of both companies sought medical attention.
The two companies were indicted in March 2019.
The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas said the companies have paid the $1 million fines.
This story was originally published May 27, 2020 at 5:35 PM with the headline "Two Kansas companies pay $1 million each for releasing toxic gas cloud over Atchison."
