Fatal Incident at Longview Paper Mill Leads to Injuries and Hazards

A chemical tank rupture at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company in Longview, Washington, resulted in one death and injuries to nine individuals on Tuesday. The incident released approximately 500,000 gallons of a hazardous solution known as "white liquor," comprised of sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide, utilized in the wood pulp production process.

Authorities indicated that the situation was precarious, with around 90,000 gallons still threatening to leak, prompting delays in recovery efforts. Chief Scott Goldstein of Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue expressed concerns regarding the tank's instability and the potential for further collapse. The chemical poses severe risks, including second- and third-degree burns upon contact.

Emergency services transported eight employees and one firefighter to local hospitals for treatment of injuries ranging from minor to severe, with the firefighter later released. The rupture occurred shortly before 7:15 a.m. local time, but the cause remains unclear, with officials initially categorizing it as a major chemical explosion before revising it to an implosion of the vat.

In response to the incident, Nippon and local officials confirmed the occurrence of multiple critical injuries while assuring the community that there was no immediate danger from the plume. Despite these reassurances, residents were advised to steer clear of the location and contaminated areas nearby. Previous incidents at the mill, including a fire in July 2023 that impacted air quality, remain under investigation, with the cause still unknown.