INSTITUTE, W.Va. — A chemical leak Wednesday at the Catalyst Refiners silver‑recovery plant in Institute killed two people and sent about 30 others to hospitals, officials said.
Kanawha County Emergency Management Director C.W. Sigman said the incident happened as workers were preparing to shut down at least part of the facility. A chemical gas reaction involving nitric acid and another substance produced toxic hydrogen sulfide, Sigman said, describing the event as “a violent reaction of the chemicals” that “instantaneously overreacted.” He added that starting or ending chemical reactions are among the most dangerous times.
Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango said the reaction believed to have been produced during a cleaning process yielded hydrogen sulfide. All deaths occurred on the plant site, officials said.
About 30 people were taken to hospitals, including one person in serious condition, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said. Among the injured were seven ambulance workers who responded to the leak. Morrisey praised first responders and said authorities were monitoring patients’ recoveries.
Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center treated multiple patients and said community members arrived asking to be checked. Hospital spokesman Dale Witte said patients were experiencing respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and itchy eyes. WVU Medicine Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston said it had cared for a dozen patients, including eight who arrived by personal vehicle and whose injuries were not considered life‑threatening.
A shelter‑in‑place order for the surrounding area was issued and lifted more than five hours later. Officials said local air quality and water supply appeared unaffected. The leak required a large decontamination operation in which people removed clothing and were sprayed down.
Catalyst Refiners, owned by Ames Goldsmith Corp., recovers silver from the remnants of chemical processes and other materials. The company expressed sorrow over the deaths; President Frank Barber said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and their families.” Ames Goldsmith said it would cooperate with local, state and federal officials.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation and has up to six months to complete its examination.
The plant is in a region long known as West Virginia’s “chemical valley,” about 10 miles west of Charleston. Authorities continue investigating the cause and circumstances of the reaction.
