Ketchikan Pulp Corporation; Ketchikan, Alaska
Ketchikan, Alaska | 1989-Mar-14
Initial Notification: A check valve between an accumulator tank and a feeder pump at Ketchikan Pulp Corporation blew out on the evening of March 13, 1989, releasing 40,000 gallons of liquified magnesium bisulfite. Magnesium bisulfite is an unstable chemical that disassociates into free sulfur dioxide (approximately 13%) and an unknown quantity of magnesium oxide and other sulfur oxides. The sulfur dioxide was immediately released as a vapor cloud and the remaining chemical in solution ran into Ward Cove. USCG district 17.
Incident Details
| Primary threat: | Chemical |
| Products of concern: | Liquified magnesium bisulfite |
| Total amount at risk of spill: | 40,000 gallons |
| Latitude (approximate): | 55° 25.00′ North |
| Longitude (approximate): | 131° 42.00′ West |