Wabash Alloys Fined for 1999 Leak

Connell Industries Canada Co., carrying on business as Wabash Alloys Guelph, was fined $100,000 Sept. 27th after pleading guilty to an offense under Ontario's Environmental Protection Act.

On August 15, 1999, furnace failures at Connell's Guelph facility resulted in the discharge of chlorine gas into the natural environment that adversely affected the health of staff at the nearby Corvex Manufacturing facility. The adverse health effects resulted in Corvex evacuating its workers and temporarily shutting down its operation.

The company has requested six months to pay the fine.

Connell has subsequently taken steps to prevent future inadvertent discharges, including modifying its existing furnaces as well as changing and enhancing its preventative maintenance inspection schedule.

At the time of the incident, it was melting scrap in six gas furnaces.

It purified the molten metal with a mixture of chlorine and nitrogen gases. That produces chemical fumes which are directed to a "baghouse'' to be neutralized by lime injection, said Engel.

Ministry investigators discovered the pollution control systems on two furnaces had malfunctioned, allowing chlorine fumes into the open air.