Sodium Hypochlorite; Orington, ME

Orington, ME | 1992-Aug-28

Initial Notification: On or about 0030 on August 28, 1992, the LCP Chemical Company in Orington, Maine (near Bangor) overfilled a tank with sodium hypochlorite 12% solution) by an estimated 9,000 gallons. The initial call to report the spill was to EPA and the NRC where there was some confusion as to whether the spill was in the inland or coastal zone. By approximately 1200 on the same day, MSO Portland was contacted, briefed by the EPA personnel on scene and asked to take over as the On-Scene Coordinator for a coastal response. Two MSO personnel were dispatched. Situation: It was estimated that 5,000 gallons of the spilled product remained on land and that 4,000 gallons made it into the Penopscot River about the time of high tide. The NOAA SSC was contacted as approximately 1300. It was determined that the threat to aquatic life in the Penopscot River had, for the most part, subsided, given that the spill had occurred some 12 hours earlier on a falling tide. It was thought that the chemical would have an acute toxic effect and would dilute as it moved down the river becoming a diluted, non-toxic solution. Concern was expressed that the chemical might stay together as a plume for a distance down river, but that within 12-24 hours the bulk of the product would be diluted sufficiently. The MSO was warned to expect a possible localized fish kill and to be aware of the odor of chlorine down river of the spill (which would indicate that the product had not completely diluted). USCG district 1.