KCK company expected to pay $1 million for emitting toxic gas cloud over Atchison
A chemical company is expected to pay $1 million after a toxic gas cloud formed over Atchison, causing 140 people to seek medical attention in October 2016.
Harcros Chemicals Inc., which is headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas, pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas said.
Midwest Grain Products Inc., a co-defendant in the case, pleaded guilty in November and is also expected to pay $1 million.
On Oct. 21, 2016, a Harcros driver delivering sulfuric acid arrived at Midwest Grain’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.
More than 140 community members, emergency responders and employees of both companies sought medical attention.
“The chemicals involved in this case posed serious public health and environmental dangers,” said Assistant Director Justin Oesterreich of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division in Kansas. “EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to holding responsible parties accountable for actions that put an entire community at risk.”
