Wind drives chemical leak into Ohio communities

A regular assessment of air quality in the United States started in 1976, about six years after the Environmental Protection Agency was created.

VINTON COUNTY, Ohio – Communities are under evacuation orders Wednesday after a large chemical leak from an explosives plant in southeast Ohio is sending hazardous air into nearby areas.

Jackson County emergency manager Robert Czechlewski said the explosion at Austin Powder Company’s Red Diamond facility happened about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. 

Officials said the chemical wafting into the air is nitric oxide. Potential exposure can include irritated eyes, drowsiness and possible loss of consciousness. The leak on the ground at Red Diamond was nitric acid, but a reaction created a nitric oxide plume now seen over the region.

Winds have expanded the concerns to areas outside the immediate area of the leak. 

Current wind conditions near the chemical leak. 

(FOX Weather)

The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office evacuated residents in the village of Zaleski, as well as areas along Creek Road, Morgan Road, Infirmary Road and State Route 677.

“Please if you are able or know someone you can call in the village to evacuate to 278 east of Zaleski to U.S. 50 to avoid the exposure and road blocks,” the sheriff’s office said. 

The National Weather Service in Charleston, West Virginia, provided plume updates to emergency managers showing the plume was heading south from the facility. 

Czechlewski said wind conditions will determine how soon evacuated residents can return home. 

The Red Cross and the United Way are at a shelter established at Vinton High School to help.

This story is developing and will be updated.