North Bend, Ohio-Two Agrium Inc. employees were sent to a local hospital after a minor ammonia leak at a company nitrogen production facility Monday, Jan. 5, at around 10:30 a.m. One suffered a burn to his thighs; both were released the same day and returned to work the next day, according to an Agrium spokesman. The workers were preparing a line for maintenance when a small amount of ammonia – about two-three gallons – was released, which was estimated at about 20.3 pounds. The plant was down at the time of the incident. Agrium said there was no environmental release above the reportable quantity, and that it was contained at the site. Agrium said it will conduct a full investigation of the situation and instituted a work stoppage at the facility until it could assess the situation and feel comfortable releasing people to go back to work. North Bend produces industrial chemicals and liquid nutrients, including nitric acid, ammonium nitrate solution, aqua ammonia solution, and UAN.
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