Town Shelters in Place After Chemical Release at Ajinomoto Plant

Residents in Eddyville, IA were ordered to shelter in place on August 25 after a large chemical leak occurred at an Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America plant in the community.

Emergency agencies received a 911 call notifying them about the leak at 8:19 p.m., according to a release issued by the Mahaska County Emergency Management Agency. Officials told people living near the plant to shelter in place as a precaution.

Corrosion on a valve is thought to have caused some 8,000 gal of hydrochloric acid to leak from a tank at the location, the Ottumwa Post reported. Most of the substance was released into a concrete containment structure.

Crews remained on scene until about 2 a.m. the following morning, the Oskaloosa Herald noted. No injuries occurred during the incident.

Ajinomoto’s Health & Nutrition business produces amino acid products and ingredient solutions.