Huge Fine Handed to Calgary Sulphur Processor

November 2, 2007 by Walter Schneider.

[for a substantial SO2 release caused by “an unexpected chemical reaction”]

Calgary Company Handed Huge Fine 

2007 11 01

CALGARY/AM770CHQR - A Calgary company has been fined $280,000 after sulphur dioxide was released from their plant in the Foothills Industrial Park in January 2005.
A huge conti[n]gency of city emergency workers responded, and several of them reported adverse health effects because of the exposure.
Tiger Industries Limited pleaded guilty to one charge under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
The facility has since been sold and the company has until February 2008 to pay the fine. (Link to Story)

The Edmonton Journal carried a related story (2007 11 02; p. B10) that identified that the incident caused a large response by emergency crews, that a two-block area had been closed for most of the day, that a police officer had been taken to hospital with minor respiratory problems, and that several emergency workers Tiger employees complained of adverse health effects.

Interestingly, the Journal story, too, called the problem a sulphur-dioxide release, but it identified the cause of that as “an unexpected chemical reaction during a production run of a fertilizer blend.”

Tiger Industries Ltd. (a.k.a. Tigersul) in Calgary formed sulphur into prills or pellets for adding those prills to various fertilizer blends.

What was the “unexpected chemical reaction” that produced the SO₂ release? Was it an explosion and fire? Burning sulphur produces SO₂. The bigger the sulphur fire, the more SO₂ will be released. Unless sufficiently heated, SO₂ is heavier than air.

An unexpected chemical reaction? According to Tiger Sulphur’s very own material safety data sheet for sulphur (January 2004):

SECTION IV HAZARDS INFORMATION

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards:

Dust suspended in air is readily ignited by flame, static electricity or friction spark. Every reasonable step must be taken to minimize dust formation. Dust tight casings should be equipped with explosion relief vents. Sparkless electrical equipment is recommended. Handling equipment must be grounded or bonded to avoid static electricity. Keep away from sources of flame or sparks. Detailed recommendations in Manufacturing Chemists Association SD-74 and National Safety Council 612 Bulletins covering “Sulphur” should be followed when handling Sulphur.

SECTION IX HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS (Mixtures Only)

Material or Components:

Mixtures with chlorates, nitrates or other oxidizing agents may be explosive.

As of the January 28, 2006 issue of the EUB’s Identification Code Licence Eligibility Report, Tiger Industries Limited no longer qualified for licence eligibility.

The source of the two news items is an Alberta Government information bulletin. The bulletin contains information important to anyone living close to a sulphur processing facility

Investigation after the incident determined that the release was the result of an unexpected chemical reaction during a production run of a sulphur-based fertilizer blend. The combination of un-degassed sulphur [that would have to be hydrogen sulfide?] and an impurity in a copper micronutrient [any guesses as to what that may have been?] resulted in a chemical reaction that produced significant quantities of sulphur dioxide.

It is odd that the chemical reaction is not described in the bulletin. Was it an explosion, perhaps a fire? More information can be obtained by writing to Josh Stewart, whose contact details are shown at the end of the Alberta Government information bulletin.

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