Workers Hospitalized Following Silane Leak At Tennessee Plant

A leak at a Tennessee polysilicon plant last week reportedly resulted in five workers who were hospitalized with chemical burns.

Wacker Chemical officials told the Chattanooga Times Free Press that a small amount of volatile silane gas was detected during routine maintenance midday Wednesday. An incident response team contained the release shortly thereafter.

Silane can cause burns or frostbite if it comes into contact with skin, but it can also explode when mixed with air or cause rapid suffocation if inhaled.

Bradley County officials told the paper that no explosion occurred and there was no danger to the neighboring community. One of the injured workers was airlifted to a Chattanooga hospital, while four others were driven to hospitals via ambulance.

The German chemical giant did not provide additional details about how the incident occurred.

The Times Free Press noted that the plant, which produces polysilicon for use in solar panels, was fined by federal workplace safety officials twice in the 17 months since it opened.