A revised strategy to strengthen procedures at Lafarge’s cement plant in Exshaw has been put in place to avoid future leaks, say representatives.
It was estimated about 500 kilograms of dry hydrated lime white dust spilled around the area following an uploading mishap at a hydrated lime silo on July 21 at the Exshaw plant.
Jennifer Lewis, Lafarge director of communications for Western Canada, said it was the first time the hydrated lime had been delivered, and a very “specific action plan” has been set to strengthen procedures, and to ensure they’re followed accordingly.
Specifics of the amended procedures weren’t revealed, but reworking the silo delivery mechanism was a focal point to avoid a future release.
“There is technology in place that we are reworking to make sure that it is fully functional,” Lewis said.
“We (Lafarge) took this really seriously and we did a number of things to react.”
Residents exposed to the lime dust release should not experience long-term effects, according to Dr. Brent Friesen, Alberta Health Services zone medical health officer.
“There are immediate irritative symptoms people could experience,” he said Thursday (July 31), “including coughing or sore throat, but I wouldn’t expect any long-term or chronic effects.
“Others could include skin irritation if the skin was exposed, maybe sore eyes or a runny nose; similar to that from wildfire smoke. At the time irritation could be caused when breathed in or in damp areas like the nose, eyes and lungs.”
After the incident, said Friesen, one health inspector received a call from an Exshaw resident, but he said no calls were received by Health Link Alberta (1-866-408-5465), “so it doesn’t appear to have caused a lot of symptoms.”
As well, he said, being a dust leak, it would settle out quickly, depending on how fine the dust was, particularly if it was windy. “If it was quite windy, it would disperse fairly quickly while reducing concentrations.”
In the end, he said, lime dust is an irritant and he would expect people to see effects immediately afterward.
Should another leak be noticed by Exshaw residents, Friesen suggests remaining indoors, with doors and windows closed, until dust dissipates. If in a vehicle, he recommends closing windows and turning off the ventilation system.
Should skin be contacted, Friesen recommended wiping off with a wet cloth, rather than a dry one.
“And if people experience health concerns, they should call Health Link Alberta or consult their local physician,” he said. “Also, people can call the Alberta Energy and Environmental 24-hour hotline at 1-800-222-6514.”
Lewis added they approached the release from an environmental, community and industrial point of view.
There were four complaints to Lafarge – three were of dust on residential property. Lewis says Lafarge has been working with their insurer on the incident and they are seeking to meet with each of the people in order to investigate and resolve issues.
“We felt, given the weather conditions and indication from the (air) monitors, that everything had been contained,” Lewis said. “Still, we sent a note about what happened for our community liaison committee to let them know what happened.”
Lafarge also contacted Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD), who confirmed the incident was reported immediately.
“(ESRD) have been directly in touch with the party involved,” said ESRD spokesperson Jason Maloney. “It’s been determined what’s happened and actions have been taken to rectify it.”
