Ohio EPA Identifies Chemical Behind GFS Leak That Led to Franklinton Lockdown
On July 14, a hazardous chemical leak at GFS Chemicals, located at 777 River Street, triggered a shelter-in-place order for residents in Franklinton. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has since confirmed that the substance released into the air was hydrogen bromide , a highly corrosive and toxic chemical.
According to the Ohio EPA’s Office of Emergency Response, the hydrogen bromide leak occurred during a routine industrial process inside GFS’s manufacturing facility. Fumes began escaping into the atmosphere, prompting emergency calls from concerned residents who reported a strong, unfamiliar odor and visible yellow smoke in the area.
What Is Hydrogen Bromide?
Hydrogen bromide is classified as a toxic industrial chemical by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes it as an extremely irritating and corrosive gas that can cause severe burns, respiratory distress, and eye or skin irritation upon exposure.
Health officials advise anyone experiencing symptoms from exposure to immediately wash affected skin and eyes with water and seek urgent medical attention.
Shelter-in-Place Order Issued
The Columbus Division of Fire responded to the incident shortly after 2:20 PM. Due to the scale of the gas release, they issued a shelter-in-place advisory for residents within the area bounded by:
- North: Dublin Road
- South: West Broad Street
- East: State Route 315
- West: Hartford Street
The order remained in effect until approximately 4:50 PM, when it was lifted after air quality tests indicated no continuing threat. Thankfully, no injuries or hospitalizations have been reported so far.
Company Response and Investigation
Mike Minor, General Manager at GFS Chemicals, stated that the leak was the result of a “byproduct of an unexpected reaction during process water neutralization.” GFS is conducting internal analytical testing to determine the exact composition and root cause of the incident.
On July 14, GFS CEO Steel Hutchinson issued a public apology via X (formerly Twitter), thanking first responders and the Ohio EPA. In a follow-up post on July 15, he confirmed that bromine gas was released during the reaction but emphasized that the company’s air scrubber systems helped partially contain the emissions.
Environmental and Public Safety Status
The Ohio EPA has stated there was no immediate environmental damage observed. However, the agency’s Division of Environmental Response and Revitalization will continue to monitor the site and conduct follow-up evaluations to ensure safety standards are upheld.
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