Chemical Cloud Prompts Evacuations In Scarborough

Emergency crews evacuated an east-end industrial area after a leak on Wednesday produced a toxic chemical cloud.

Shortly before noon, the hazmat unit arrived at the scene on Chemical Court, near Lawrence and Morningside avenues. Workers were soon able to cap the source.

“We are asking people in the area to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed,” said Mike Strapko of Toronto Fire.

No injuries have been reported.

The highly corrosive cloud came from a plant registered to the Canadian unit of Connecticut-based Chemtura Corp., a plastic-additives maker which filed for bankruptcy protection in March of last year. It sued the U.S. and several states, arguing it should be able to cancel some of its environmental claims.

Officials say an overflow of vapours in a scrubber at the chemical plant sent the large toxic cloud of corrosive sulphuric acid into the air.  

This is not the first time residents in the area have experienced the fear of toxic gas in the air. In 2000 a massive chemical fire at a plant right next door forced people out of their homes.

In this case, the amount of acid in the atmosphere was determined to be safe and the all-clear was given after a couple of hours.

 

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