Illinois EPA seeks court order compelling Seward chemical plant operator to halt operations pending investigation and cleanup

Agency also seeking enforcement of multiple alleged violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act

[June 07, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- In the aftermath of an explosion and fire Sunday at the Nova-Kem chemical plant in Seward, the director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency asked the Illinois attorney general's office to seek an immediate injunctive court order to require the firm to thoroughly investigate and clean up all environmental violations associated with the incident.

The action Tuesday by Lisa Bonnett, Illinois EPA director, followed an evacuation of nearby residents by emergency responders including local fire departments, law enforcement, hazmat workers and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. IEPA staff was on-site to evaluate conditions and assess the environmental impacts created by the incident.

The Illinois EPA also referred the firm to the Illinois attorney general for multiple violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, which include causing or allowing air pollution and water pollution hazards. As authorities gather more information, additional violations may be pursued. The facility has a current operating permit from the IEPA Bureau of Air (ID No. 201811AAJ), with which it had been in compliance prior to this incident.

The plant, located at 16161 Sixth St. in Seward, manufactures chemicals for high-technology applications like semiconductors and memory devices. Following the explosion and fire at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday, local fire authorities decided not to use water in fighting the blaze because of the water-reactive nature of some of the chemicals at the facility. While no inventory of chemicals is yet available, it is known that the company specializes in the manufacture of hexachlorodisilane, which is highly corrosive if inhaled or ingested or if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes. Large chlorine tanks are also at the facility.

The Illinois EPA is requesting that the attorney general's office obtain a court order that would require Nova-Kem to:

• Provide a complete inventory of all chemicals present at the facility.

• Conduct an incident investigation and prepare a report on the root cause.

• Propose a work plan to the agency to address contamination at the site.

• Propose a sampling program to the agency for off-site areas and bodies of water within the two-mile evacuation zone that may have been affected by airborne particulate matter and chemical burn products.

• Halt all operations at the facility until the cause is determined and corrective measures are put in place.

• Work with the community as directed by the agency.

• Reimburse the agency for its response, oversight and review costs.

As residents return to their homes, the Illinois EPA will work with local law enforcement, health and emergency officials to help residents with questions about the situation.

[Text from Illinois Environmental Protection Agency file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]