No injuries in incident as crews contain vapour to plant site
by Dave S. Clark
Wednesday January 31, 2007
Residents and businesses in northern Strathcona County were in lockdown on Sunday afternoon due to the release of an explosive chemical at the Shell Scotford Upgrader.
According to Erin Carrier, a spokesperson for Alberta Environment, the plant began leaking a chemical called polyethylbenzene. Beverlee Loat, spokesperson for Shell Chemical, said the leak was noticed at about 12:15 p.m.
Carrier said once the release was noticed, Shell enacted its emergency call out system, calling over 185 residents and businesses in the area and notifying them to stay inside in an internal room where there are no windows. Carrier said since the chemical is explosive, all precautions were taken.