Chemical Spill at Canfor Pulp

Sunday, February 01, 2009 11:01 AM

Prince George, B.C. - Canfor Pulp is investigating after a chlorine dioixide spill between its operations in Prince George early Sunday.

David Scott, General Manager of Human Resources with Canfor Pulp Limited Partnership, says a the chlorine dioxide line between the Intercon and PG Pulp mills failed at about 3:30 a.m. spilling about 14,000 litres of solution on the ground.

Scott says the spill occurred on the pipeline bridge over the CN Rail tracks, but it was quickly contained and there were no injuries and no immediate risk to the environment or Prince George residents.

"We're currently working with CN to neutralize the solution and safely clean up any of the residue. We do have controls in place. When the flow happened, it was shut off automatcially by our control systems which minimized the volume. The emergency protocols were activated to protect our workers, the public and the environment.

Scott says the spill occurred on a new stretch of pipeline that was used to replace an older line which had frozen earlier during startup, causing a slight spill of chlorine dioxide.

Chlorine dioxide is a chemical used in bleaching wood pulp and is a severe irritant to the eyes and respiratory system.

Canfor Pulp says it will conduct a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the spill once remedial cleanup is complete.

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Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 11:01 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: downnotout on February 1 2009 1:44 PM

can kill

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on February 1 2009 2:00 PM

Just like WW1 down there.

Posted by: govsux on February 1 2009 4:53 PM

Beancounters already want PG shut down, hopefully this isn't the last nail in the coffin. This town doesn't need any more bad news!

Posted by: tinyapplecork on February 1 2009 5:39 PM

So won't leech into the groundwater then?

Posted by: szd on February 1 2009 9:36 PM

When the flow happened, it was shut off automatcially by our control systems which minimized the volume. 14,000l later and that is an automatic response!!!! For you old guys that is 3100gal. How the hell does that much not get noticed earlier?

Posted by: He speaks on February 1 2009 10:54 PM

Better ask Pat Bell for a hand out

Posted by: dlamoureux on February 2 2009 6:26 AM

and the government is concerned about the pulp mill in Mackenzie being a danger to the environment???