Charleston, W. Va.-Two workers were taken to the hospital for observation early Friday Dec. 3 after a release of monomethylamine at DuPont’s Belle plant. One of the two was released that evening, and the second midday on Saturday. “Neither of the two employees has shown any signs of respiratory symptoms since the incident and neither currently has any medical restrictions,” according to DuPont spokesman David Hastings. Hastings said the plant fume alarm sounded and the emergency response team was immediately on the scene, while the Belle fire department stood by at the plant gate as a precaution. “Everything was under control a few minutes later. Our preliminary estimate is that the amount released was well under the reportable threshold quantity of 100 pounds,” Hastings reported. “Appropriate state and local officials have been notified, and the plant is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the incident and confirm the amount released.” Methylamines are used to make intermediates for a wide range of agricultural chemicals, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, biocides, and miticides. They are a combination of ammonia and methanol, and are sold in an anhydrous form.
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