Evacuation order lifted around Dow Reichhold's Delaware latex plant following styrene leak

Cheswold, Delaware - An evacuation order for the area surrounding a Dow Reichhold Speciality Latex plant was lifted by state authorities more than 24 hours after the company reported a leak of styrene vapour from a rail tanker.

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) imposed an evacuation order within a 1500-foot (457-metre) radius of the plant in the evening on 25 Aug and terminated it on 26 Aug after conducting air monitoring.

''Monitoring and assessment of the styrene leak from a railroad tanker car at the plant site provided information that allowed public safety officials and hazardous materials experts to determine that there are no current health hazards to the public,'' a statement from DEMA said.

The company said its employees had started returning to the plant.