Staff writer
McDONALD - The state Department of Environmental Protection held a meeting and hearing Tuesday to allow public comment about the proposed expansion of a chemical plant in Robinson Township.
Reaxis Inc., formerly the Goldschmidt Industrial Chemical Corp., is applying for an air-quality plan approval from the DEP to build a second 3,200-gallon fiberglass reactor to manufacture inorganic tin chemicals at the plant on Robinson Highway.
Reaxis President Marco van der Poel described the company's plans and said the hydrogen chloride emissions would be controlled by air filters. He noted the two 3,200-gallon reactors would emit less fumes than a larger reactor that was decommissioned several years ago.
But two township supervisors and eight residents who attended the meeting expressed concerns that the plant is near several businesses and homes, and they questioned what danger another reactor might pose.
There also were complaints about the lack of discussions between the township and the chemical plant over the expansion. Tuesday night's meeting appeared to help, but van der Poel was adamant that the township and its residents should not be shy in offering their opinions.
"If you have issues, please talk to us," van der Poel said. "We have so many problems because we don't communicate."
Lisa Graves-Marcucci, an environmental activist from Jefferson Hills, asked the DEP why it has allowed Reaxis to operate its reactors under a temporary shield permit six years after it applied for a renewal in 2002. The shield permit pertains to the operation of the 3200-gallon reactor. Graves-Marcucci suggested the DEP get the shield permit in order before handing out a plan approval for the new tank.
The company is required to apply for a renewal every five years, and it has provided an "administratively complete" document, according to DEP environmental engineer manager Barbara Hatch, who presided over the hearing. She said the DEP has not been able to finish the approval process due to the size of its staff, but the shield permit is legal.
"If this facility were constantly having problems, it would probably be moved up in the priority ranking," DEP spokeswoman Helen Humphreys said. "When you have a significant amount of work, you go to what's most urgent."
The DEP has continued to regularly inspect the plant to make sure it remains in compliance with state and federal laws, Hatch said.
The most stirring testimony came from M.J. Redden, who described the acid cloud that descended on his business near the chemical plant during a June 14, 2002, accidental spill that injured 20 people.
Redden said he was working at his builders supply company when he received a phone call in the morning from an associate that an "acid cloud" was in the area and that he should not venture outside. He immediately told his workers to leave and later came upon several electric company linesmen working in the area. One of workers was unconscious and needed medical treatment.
The acid mist burned his arms, face and inside of his mouth. Redden tried to go wash them off, but his skin began peeling and he went to Washington Hospital for medical treatment.
Redden said he waited another two weeks before chemical plant officials phoned him. He requested the company install a siren to notify the area in the event of another accident, but he said there still is no warning system.
The Reaxis officials said this was an isolated incident and it has had a good safety record since then.
Supervisor Brian Coppola asked for a procedure the township can follow should leaks occur in the future.
Humphreys said the comment response period ends Oct. 3 and the DEP will make a decision on the plan approval in the "near term."