Tenn. Chemical Plant Records Third Incident In Two Weeks

Maintenance work at a Tennessee polysilicon plant again prompted warnings about hazardous chemicals this week.

The incident was the third time in less than two weeks that alarms were set off at the Wacker Chemical facility in Charleston, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Late last month, five workers were hospitalized following a silane gas leak, and the plant was shut down last week after an explosion — and subsequent hydrochloric acid cloud — closed local roads and led authorities to urge residents to stay indoors. Thirteen people were reportedly treated following the Sept. 7 explosion.

Wacker officials said that Tuesday's alarms were related to last week’s blast. The facility issued a warning due to "a slight elevation of residual chemicals."

The order was later lifted and the company said that workers and neighboring residents were not at risk.

"Safety is our top priority along with the care and well-being of our employees and our community," the company said in a statement.

The plant, which opened last spring, produces polysilicon for use in solar panels.