Crews work to contain chemical spill in Mon River
Emergency officials worked Wednesday to contain a chemical that spilled into the Monongahela River and is known to kill fish.
Members of the Fayette County Hazardous Materials Response Team 900 and firefighters from multiple departments responded to an area in Newell where the spill occurred around 6 p.m.
The chemical was reported to be alcohol ethoxylate, which is a non-ionic surfactant used in industrial settings for multiple purposes.
While the chemical spilled is not believed to be harmful to humans, officials said it can kill fish. The chemical’s possible affect on other wildlife was not immediately known.
Fish were reportedly killed as a result of the spill, according to information from responders at the scene. However, the extent of damage done was not immediately known.
According to initial reports, a holding tank at a plant allegedly owned by Neo Solutions Inc. leaked the chemical into the river.
Neo Solutions, based out of Beaver, Pa., is a supplier of water soluble polymers, biocides, odor control, boiler cooling and defoamers. According to the company’s website, water soluble polymers are used in the areas of clarification, in process of liquid solid separation and filtration.
A company representative could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
Boat traffic on the Monongahela River was stopped as crews worked to contain the spill, which was primarily stopped by around 8 p.m.
The U.S. Coast Guard, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection were called to the scene.
No other information was available as of deadline Wednesday night.