Vale‘s smelter complex in Sudbury, Ontario sounded the alarms this morning when nitrogen dioxide was released from its Copper Cliff facility.
Many people woke to the alarms and sirens they know well from test-runs, but this morning the situation was real. Nearby residents were advised to stay in their homes, keep the windows sealed and not to turn on air conditioners or air exchange systems.
A yellow plume was hovering above the Vale complex and cars were being directed away from the smelter.
“The system worked in terms of sounding the horn, notifying the community, ” said Vale spokesman Cory McPhee, who described the situation as one of caution. “You can’t take chances with types of events.”
Eventually the situation was downgraded meaning the toxic fumes had been contained. Police and fire officials had cleared the area and the alarms that were blaring early this morning had stopped.
The emergency event is now under the surveillance of mining company Vale S.A.
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