Plant Still Investigating Chemical Leak That Prompted Closure Of Delaware Memorial Bridge
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PENNSVILLE, N.J (CBS/AP) -- Authorities are still investigating the cause of a chemical leak that prompted the shut down of the Delaware Memorial Bridge on Sunday but urges there's no harm to the public. The bridge reopened Sunday night but was shut down for several hours after a leak of ethylene oxide from the nearby Croda Atlas Point plant was discovered in Delaware.
The plant confirmed Monday that at no point during the leak was there "an unsafe level of ethylene oxide in the air outside the facility perimeter."
Holiday Traffic Headache- We talk with frustrated drivers and New Castle, DE residents told to shelter in place after a gas leak prompts the Delaware Memorial Bridge to shutdown
— Chantee Lans (@ChanteeLans) November 26, 2018
Details @CBSPhilly at 11 pic.twitter.com/8uQgJ8ioHZ
Ethylene oxide is a highly flammable gas that is a finished product stemming from methanol.
"The health and safety of people is always our number one priority, and we are carrying out this in-depth investigation, supported by experts both within and outside of our organization, to understand the cause of the incident and how we can prevent something like this from happening again. We anticipate initial findings from the investigation to be available in the next 24 hours," said in a statement.
The plant was recently built on the Delaware side of the bridge. No injuries were reported.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)