CSWD's Materials Recovery Facility on Avenue C in Williston was closed Tuesday afternoon due to the release of what is presumed to be a household pesticide from an aerosol can that had been deposited in a recycling container and brought to the MRF. CSWD is awaiting tests to confirm the substance type. The substance was determined to be pepper spray.
"We are relieved to report that no one was seriously injured," stated Tom Moreau, General Manager of the Chittenden Solid Waste District. "The Williston Fire and Police Departments, along with IBM and Essex Fire units, responded with several ambulances. Casella, the company that we contract to operate the MRF, acted very responsibly in reporting the incident and getting their staff out of harm's way. We would like to thank the Williston Fire Department for their cautious and professional approach yet maintaining good communication."
There were about 42 people in the building at the time of the incident. All were evacuated. About 21 staffers have been treated for exposure, about 15 of whom chose to go to the hospital to be checked out after being decontaminated.
Surrounding businesses downwind were also closed for about an hour, and their employees evacuated.
Apparently, workers sorting containers experienced nausea and difficulty breathing. The shift leader evacuated the area and called 911. The Williston Fire and Police Departments, along with IBM and Essex Fire units, responded with several ambulances.
"Accidents like this can be prevented if containers of hazardous materials -- empty or full -- are kept out of the recycling system," noted Clare Innes, CSWD's Marketing and Communications Coordinator. "The recycling process depends on the men and women at the MRF whose job it is to sort materials residents and businesses put in their recycling containers. Remember: If it's something you wouldn't pour down your drain, it cannot be recycled, and is not safe for the recycling sorters to handle. If you don't know for sure that it something you need to dispose of is safe for recycling, we ask that you call the CSWD hotline at (802) 872-8111 or visit our website at cswd.net."
CSWD's Environmental Depot, at 1011 Airport Parkway in South Burlington, accepts hazardous material from businesses and residents in Chittenden County.
The MRF will be closed for the remainder of the day. It will likely reopen at its regular time Wednesday morning.
Source: CSWD. 4.28.2015