In its media statement on Saturday, DuPont Co. downplayed the injuries to Belle plant worker Carl Fish, saying:
The employee was transported to the hospital by the Kanawha County Ambulance Authority for treatment and observation as part of the standard protocol for exposure to this material.
But Fish has died from exposure to phosgene — a valuable chemical building block, but also an incredibly toxic material — during the incident. DuPont said in a statement released this morning:
Carl “Dan” Fish of Gallagher, W.Va., passed away at Charleston Area Medical Center hospital. Dan was a 32-year DuPont employee who worked as an operator at the Belle site. He was an integral part of the Site Emergency Response team for much of his career as well.
“We are deeply saddened that one of our Belle teammates passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time,” said Bill Menke, DuPont Belle site manager.
So far, DuPont officials have provided the public with precious few details about what happened, saying only:
On Saturday afternoon a site employee was exposed to Phosgene from a leaking transfer hose. The hose was not in service when the leak occurred but did contain a small amount residual Phosgene from an earlier use.
Phosgene was first made in 1812 by chemist John Davy, and its name is a reference to the use of light to promote the reaction that produced it — from the Greek, phos (light) and gene (born). In World War I, phosgene was used extensively as a chemical weapon. Today it is widely used in the production of other chemicals, such as pesticides.
Kanawha Valley residents are most familiar with its use at the Bayer CropScience plant in Institute, where it is used in the manufacturer of another deadly chemical intermediate, methyl isocyanate, or MIC.
But phosgene can certainly give MIC a run for its money as far as being dangerous to humans. OSHA lists a work-shift exposure limit for phosgene of 0.1 parts per million and NIOSH an “immediately dangerous to life and health” number of 2 parts per million, while the similar numbers for MIC are 0.02 parts per million and 20 parts per million.
What does phosgene do to you? Here’s what the Centers for Disease Control report:
During or immediately after exposure to dangerous concentrations of phosgene, the following signs and symptoms may develop:
– Coughing
– Burning sensation in the throat and eyes
– Watery eyes
– Blurred vision
– Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
– Nausea and vomiting
– Skin contact can result in lesions similar to those from frostbite or burns
– Following exposure to high concentrations of phosgene, a person may develop fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) within 2 to 6 hours.
Exposure to phosgene may cause delayed effects that may not be apparent for up to 48 hours after exposure, even if the person feels better or appears well following removal from exposure. Therefore, people who have been exposed to phosgene should be monitored for 48 hours afterward. Delayed effects that can appear for up to 48 hours include the following:
– Difficulty breathing
– Coughing up white to pink-tinged fluid (a sign of pulmonary edema)
– Low blood pressure
– Heart failure.
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DuPont Management continues to minimise the gravity of this tragedy in its carefully contrived PR statements:
“…one of our Belle teammates passed away.”
“Passed away”?? Why, that sounds as if Dan Fish has died from natural causes…and not from a suddenly horrifying and tragic gassing from phosgene at the blunder-struck Belle plant run by DuPont Management.
Tellingly, PR damage control and evasion from liability and accountability seems to be paramount in the minds of DuPont executives at this moment.
Merely the independent opinion of one member of the public at large…funfundvierzig..
Our hearts break each time there is a tragedy at one of our chemical plants. When will “enough be enough?” Let us appeal to our elected officials and local and federal environmental authorities, that “Business as Usual” should not include profit – at any cost; nor excuse questionable and criminal behaviors.
I had a similar reaction to funfun’s….”passed away” doesn’t seem to accurately descibe what happened. Only 32 years old. How sad.
Carl Fish was my aunt’s husband. He leaves her and an 11 year old who doesn’t understand why this has happened. From what I’m told, he and another employee were walking by the tube when he heard it getting ready to bust and he shoved the other employee out of the way and he took the full brunt of it to the face and chest himself. I’m surprised they don’t mention those heroics in their statements. BTW, he was in his 50′s. He worked at that plant for 32 yrs.
Anonymous,
Indeed and in fact, Dan Fish’s selfless act of courage in protecting a fellow worker should not only have been mentioned, but highlighted. It’s a signature mark of character and integrity. My condolences for your very sad and sudden loss.
…funfundvierzig..
Anonymous,
Thanks so much for taking the time to add that comment to our blog.
For what it’s worth, I specifically asked DuPont previously if Mr. Fish was walking by himself or with other workers. The plant manager told me he was walking by himself — and said absolutely nothing of the heroism you describe. I’ve asked DuPont to confirm or deny that this happened.
I am very, very sorry for the loss suffered by you and your family. My prayers are with you.
Ken Ward Jr.
[...] Blogs @ The Charleston Gazette – » DuPont Belle plant worker dies from phosgene exposure blogs.wvgazette.com – view page – cached In its media statement on Saturday, DuPont Co. downplayed the injuries to Belle plant worker Carl Fish, saying: [...]
[...] Blogs @ The Charleston Gazette – » DuPont Belle plant worker dies …Phosgene was first made in 1812 by chemist John Davy, and its name is a reference to the use of light to promote the reaction that produced it — from the Greek, phos (light) and gene (born). In World War I, phosgene was used extensively …Read more [...]
Folks,
I asked DuPont spokesman Roger Hess about the information Anonymous posted here … this was his response:
“That information is not accurate.”
Interestingly, Hess added:
“As you know this matter is now under investigation and therefore we cannot comment further.”
Ken.
The specificity provided by Dan Fish’s niece would suggest she indeed and in fact got an accurate first-hand report from her uncle’s co-workers and friends. I find her report far more credible than the legalistic denials supplied by DuPont’s stonewalling Management. The grieving family of Dan Fish deserve the truth, and nothing but the truth.
…funfundvierzig..
[...] downplaying the incident, then a confirmation by the company of the worker’s death (here), followed by the US Chemical Safety Board’s (CSB) decision to investigate the incident [...]
[...] worker from the DuPont Co. chemical plant in Belle, W.Va., has died after being sprayed with poison phosgene gas. You can follow updates on that story at the [...]
[...] The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency just announced that it has cited DuPont Co. and ordered the company’s Belle, W.Va., chemical plant to take a variety of actions as a result of January’s phosgene leak that killed longtime plant worker Dan Fish. [...]
[...] Officials from the DuPont Co. chemical plant in Belle, W.Va., just issued a press statement concerning the various leaks at their facility back in January, including the Jan. 23 phosgene release that killed worker Danny Fish. [...]