Two workers injured in chlorine leak in Pittsville

Brandon Wilkins and his coworker John Elliott shut off the chlorine tanks at the Pittsville Water Treatment Plant on Thursday and prepared to replace one.

But there was a problem with the tank Wilkins went to remove. Chlorine gas leaked out.

"It was just a faulty valve," said Wilkins, Pittsville's water plant operator.

Wilkins, who also works at The Daily Times as a sports clerk, said he could hear the sound of the chlorine gas coming out. Though the gas is colorless, it does have a smell.

Wilkins has worked at the water plant for seven years and while he's smelled chlorine before, he had never before experienced a chlorine leak. The exposure resulted in a bit of a nagging cough, he said.

Pittsville Town Commission President Denver Moore called 911 upon learning about the situation from Wilkins. The leak was contained as much as it could be and the people inside the building, which also houses the Town Hall, evacuated.

Wilkins and coworker John Elliott were both taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center because of their exposure to the chlorine gas.

Wilkins came back to work Thursday at about lunchtime and Elliott was released from the hospital Thursday afternoon, Moore said. Elliott is expected to return to work Monday, Sept. 29.

The leak occurred at about 8:45 a.m., Moore said.

Emergency responders went to approximately 35 to 40 homes to instruct residents near the treatment plant to stay in their homes, according to Capt. James Jester of the Salisbury Fire Department.

The captain said those who live near the plant should report if they have trouble breathing, as it is a common symptom of chlorine inhalation.

"It's an asphyxiation hazard. It's a gas that your body can't breathe," Jester said.

As of early afternoon Thursday, Pittsville Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief George Whited said there were no restrictions on people going in or out of their homes in Pittsville.

Pittsville Elementary & Middle School, which is approximately a mile from the plant, briefly prohibited students and faculty from exiting the building and closed the school's ventilation system to stop the gas from potentially leaking in, according to Tracy Sahler, Wicomico County public schools spokeswoman.

An email from Sahler was sent at 10:55 a.m. notifying the public that the school's shelter-in-place guidance was lifted.

Prior to normal operations resuming, Willards Elementary School had notified its parents and guardians that afternoon prekindergarten had been cancelled for Thursday due to many students coming from the Pittsville area.

No nearby Pittsville residents reported of having symptoms of chlorine inhalation, according to Jester.

Multiple fire companies responded to the scene, including from Wicomico, Worcester and Sussex counties and the Salisbury hazmat team.

Jester said there were no additional leaks reported at the plant. Approximately 4 feet tall and 10 inches in diameter, the tank's leak was stopped by using a cap from an unused tank, he added.

Jester could not confirm how much gas leaked out of the approximately 150-gallon tank, but added reports were the tank was not full at the time of the leak.

Moore said he did not anticipate the leak would affect water service for Pittsville residents.

Wilkins said he and his colleagues were able to handle the problem in a calm way given the situation, and made sure the fire department was notified.

"We had a good idea what we had to do," he said.

What you need to know about chlorine exposure

Chlorine is the second-most likely chemical to cause injury in the United States, according to federal data.

What is chlorine?

A toxic, corrosive gas, chlorine is used in many ways, from a bleaching agent in paper-making to the manufacturing of pesticides and solvents. It is also used to disinfect water, though it quickly transforms into other products early in the process.

What is the most common way people are exposed to chlorine?

Breathing it in as a gas, its state at room temperature.

What are the signs of exposure?

Symptoms may occur immediately or within hours or days. Respiratory problems generally go away within about six hours of mild exposure. But they may last for several days after severe exposure. At low concentration, it causes burning of the eyes, a sore throat and cough. High concentrations can cause a choking feeling. Most deaths happen within 24 hours and are caused by respiratory failure.

How far can it travel?

If spilled from a tank as a liquid, it will evaporate quickly. It can form a greenish-yellow cloud and be swept some distance with the wind. Federal guidelines suggest take action to protect people up to 1.5 miles downwind during the day and 4.6 miles away at night.

How much chlorine does it take to cause illness?

Levels as low as 1-3 parts per million can cause mild nose irritation. Throat irritation is common at 5-15. Death generally occurs after 30 minutes at 430 ppm and after a few minutes at 1,000 ppm.

What is the maximum concentration allowable by law?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air limit is 0.5 ppm; the legal limit in the workplace is 1 ppm.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and National Institutes of Health