ICI faces fine for spill
15 Jan 2000
A mistake during the recommissioning of a plant in Runcorn has cost ICI over £20 000. Failure to close an isolation valve led to the escape of 320kg of ethylene dichloride, which was being used to clean a vinyl chloride plant. Some of the EDC was washed into a nearby canal, breaching the company's discharge authorisations. Runcorn magistrates ordered the company to pay a £15 000 fine, plus some £5000 costs to the Environment Agency.