Dalton Ammonia leak Causes Evacuations

Dalton, GA, August 8, 2007--Overflow at a storage tank at a Harcros Chemicals facility in Dalton spilled 30 to 40 gallons of anhydrous ammonia Tuesday. The leak led to the evacuation of more than 400 workers from nearby plants, including a Mohawk facility as well as several residents.

A handful of people were treated at Hamilton Medical Center but there were serious injuries reported.

A tanker was loading the material into a 30,000 gallon bulk storage tank when the tank overflowed.

Harcros, which is based in Kansas City, recently purchased the Phelps Drive plant from Lynx Chemical.

In April of 2004 a major chemical spill occurred at MFG Chemical facility in Dalton that forcing the evacuation of more than 200 families and result in more that 150 people seeking treatment for chemical exposure. That spill lead to a 2 year investigation by the national Chemical Safety Board.