Emission of white powder after ammonia leak

Geleen – On Sunday 19 October an ammonia leak occurred at the Chemelot site. Luckily the fire brigade managed to contain the leak and measurements taken by the fire brigade have shown that the surrounding area was not affected by the ammonia leak.

Following the leak, white powder was discovered at several locations. The powder has been identified as melamine, according to the South Limburg Safety Region (Veiligheidsregio Zuid-Limburg).

Melamine is used as a raw material in everyday products such as kitchenware, laminate flooring, and furniture panels. The powder has so far been found in the municipalities of Sittard-Geleen (Born and Buchten) and in Echt-Susteren (Susteren). 

According to the safety region, short-term exposure to the substance in open air does not pose any cause for concern regarding lasting health effects. Breathing in and contact with the powder on the skin and in the eyes can cause irritation.

The Safety Region advises citizens to wash any skin that comes into contact with the powder thoroughly with water and soap, and cleaning surfaces where the powder has settled with water and soap while wearing household gloves. An updated advice by the Safety Region to rinse homegrown produce thoroughly before consumption has meanwhile been repealed.

People are now advised not to eat any homegrown produce for the time being and to prevent pets from playing and digging in areas where powder is present.

Following the advice of national experts, the municipalities of Sittard-Geleen and Echt-Susteren are now launching a precautionary investigation into the melamine powder that was emitted during the ammonia leak at Chemelot. The Safety Region says that there is no direct reason for concern.

The national institute for Public Health and Safety (RIVM) will conduct this investigation, the results of which are expected within a few days from now.

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