Chemical Leak Contained At Refinery In Linden, NJ
LINDEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A chemical leak at a Phillips 66 refinery in Linden, New Jersey has been contained.
Police, firefighters and a hazmat team responded to the Infineum plant inside the Bayway Refinery Complex around 8:30 a.m. Monday on a report of a chemical cloud, Linden authorities said.
The plant shares part of the building with Phillips, CBS 2's Ilana Gold reported.
Chemical Leak Contained At Refinery In Linden, NJ
In a statement on the company's website, the plant said a 25 percent concentration of ethylaluminum dichloride in a hydrocarbon oil was released and plant employees were ordered to shelter in place.
Video from the scene showed crews dousing the area with water after a giant plume of smoke filled the air.
Jennifer Taylor, who lives just two blocks away, ran outside to see what was happening.
"I seen a whole big black cloud right over Exxon," she said.
Police said the leak did not pose a threat to the surrounding area, 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet reported. Still, authorities sent a message to neighbors letting them know to close their doors and windows.
"No injuries have been reported, and there is no health or safety impact either at the site or within the community," said Infineum USA Spokesperson Lissette Gonzalez. "Crews that were dispatched to monitor the fenceline and surrounding areas did not detect any odor or hydrocarbon concentrations."
"I got scared," said resident Abigail Marte. "I don't want a chemical leak near my house, it's dangerous. I don't want to be next to that."
Ethylaluminum dichloride is a clear, yellow liquid that turns into fumes when it hits the air. It is used as a catalyst to make other chemicals like fuel additives.
The chemical can irritate the nose, eyes, skin and throat and is highly flammable and reactive, according to the New Jersey Department of Health.
No injuries were reported. Infineum said the cloud dissipated within the hour.
"Infineum has notified all relevant government authorities and has already commenced a full investigation of the incident," the company said in a statement.
Still no word on what caused the leak.
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