MILFORD, Del. — An estimated 68 pounds of anhydrous ammonia were released into the air early Saturday at Perdue Farms' Milford processing facility, prompting an emergency response and the transport of several people for medical evaluation, according to Delaware DNREC.
The release occurred at 1:02 a.m. Saturday at Perdue Farms, 255 N. Rehoboth Blvd., according to a report from the Delaware Environmental Release Notification System.
DNREC said the ammonia release was caused by a failed seal on an air exchanger. Emergency responders conducted air monitoring at the facility, and repairs were completed by plant employees. Officials said the facility was deemed safe, and operations were returning to normal.
Several patients were transported by emergency medical services following the incident, according to the report. DNREC did not immediately provide information on the number of people transported or the extent of any injuries.
Anhydrous ammonia is classified as a hazardous substance by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is commonly used in industrial refrigeration systems.
The incident remains under investigation by DNREC.
The release comes just days after a separate ammonia incident at the same Milford facility. On June 9, an estimated 6 pounds of ammonia vapor were released following what Perdue Farms described as a refrigeration valve failure.
In that incident, employees were evacuated while emergency crews conducted air monitoring. Perdue said the release was contained inside the building, the source was isolated and stopped, and no injuries were reported.
