Kemira
On 4 February 2005, a tank of sulphuric acid collapsed at Kerima chemical plant in the harbour area of Helsingborg, in the south of Sweden. An estimated 11,000 tonnes of acid escaped from the storage tank.
Part of the acid spread out into the sea, causing an exothermic reaction with the water and forming a cloud over the plant.
An exclusion area was set up and a shelter-in-place was ordered, affecting the 110,000 local inhabitants. In all, 13 people were affected by slight breathing difficulties and eye irritation. The wind, blowing in the direction of the sea, promoted the dispersion of the cloud.
It later became apparent that the accident was caused by a burst pipe flooding the ground on which the acid storage tank was standing, weakening the ground and thus causing the tank to collapse.
Name: Kerima
Date: 15 August 2005
Location: USA
Accident area: Helsingborg
Cause of spill: rupture of a storage tank
Type of pollutant: sulphuric acid
Quantity spilled: 11,000 tonnes
Structure type: chemical plant
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Last update: 01/11/2006