A chemical vapor leak at an Edison chemical company early Thursday morning was confined to the company grounds officials said.
EDISON -- No one was injured and vapors from an airborne release of chemicals early Thursday morning were contained to the chemical manufacturing plant on Meadow Road where it occurred, authorities said.
The leak occurred at about 4:30 a.m. at LyondellBasell Industries, 340 Meadow Road, a 100-acre chemical manufacturing plant, according to a press release issued by the township.
Fire Capt. Andy Toth of the township fire department and Edison's emergency management coordinator said working with LyondellBasell's emergency response team, Edison firefighters and members of the Middlesex County Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) unit, they ensured the vapor cloud from the release remained contained on-site as it dispersed.
"The leak was contained to the plant site," Toth said. "We are confident there was no threat to public health, safety or the environment."
He said emergency personnel cleared the scene shortly after 7 a.m.
The township press release quoted Michael Waldron, a spokesman for LyondellBasell, saying the airborne material contained a whitening pigment commonly used in sunscreen, paint and toothpaste.
"The plant's response team quickly isolated the equipment and stopped the cause of the leak," Waldron said in the press release. "We have begun the repair process. We apologize for any inconvenience or concern this issue may have caused. We want to thank local first responders who assisted in this effort."
LyondellBasell is one of the world's largest plastics, chemical and refining companies. It's Edison plant makes chemical catalysts used by its customers in the production of polythylene plastic resins.
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