ACCIDENT chiefs are continuing to investigate a chemical leak at a Newton Aycliffe factory.
The incident, which happened at about 8pm on Monday, January 7, at Great Lakes Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate, involved bromine, a toxic and corrosive material.
The material was released into the atmosphere from a plant scrubber system.
The resultant vapour cloud affected people at nearby premises on the industrial estate and personnel on site.
In all four people were taken to hospital suffering from respiratory distress and bromine burns. All are now understood to have been released.
The fire brigade attended the scene and the bromine release was controlled using water sprays.
The water was contained on site and treated. No evidence was found taht contaminants had leaked into the River Skerne.
As a result of the leak, the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency served a prohibition notice under the control of major accident hazards on Great Lakes
The notice prevents the plant where the leak occurred from operating until the investigation is complete and corrective action has been taken by the company.
The remainder of the factory is operating normally. The investigation is expected to take approximately two weeks.
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