2 Dead, 21 Injured in Chemical Leak at West Virginia Catalyst Plant
Two people died and 21 others were injured after hydrogen sulfide gas leaked at a Catalyst Refiners plant in Nitro, West Virginia on Wednesday. One person remains in critical condition at the hospital.
A chemical leak at the Ames Goldsmith Catalyst Refiners plant in Nitro, West Virginia killed two people and sent 21 others to hospitals on Wednesday. The leak involved hydrogen sulfide, a toxic gas that smells like rotten eggs and can be deadly in high amounts.
One person remains in critical condition while others were treated at the scene and local hospitals. The plant is located in Kanawha County, about 20 miles from Charleston.
Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally but is also used in industrial processes. At low levels it causes eye irritation and headaches. At higher levels it can cause breathing problems, seizures, and death within minutes.
Multiple state agencies are responding, including the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health, and Department of Environmental Protection. They are working with local emergency management to investigate what caused the leak.
Catalyst Refiners processes materials used in oil refining and chemical manufacturing. Details about how the gas escaped and whether the leak has been contained are still emerging.
Hydrogen sulfide is a deadly gas that can kill within minutes at high levels. Chemical plant accidents like this highlight safety risks for workers and nearby communities who could face evacuations or health warnings.
Investigators will determine what caused the leak and whether safety violations occurred. The plant's operations status remains unclear.
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