Sodium Hydrosulfide Davidson River at Ecusta Mill

Tag : Sodium Hydrosulfide

Transylvania County Emergency Services has received the followinginformation concerning the Davidson River from the North CarolinaDepartment of Public Health.
Sodium Hydrosulfide Davidson River at Ecusta Mill
Sodium Hydrosulfide also known as Sodium Sulfhydrate is a white tocolorless substance with a smell of rotten eggs. Its main uses arein paper manufacture as a makeup chemical for sulfur. This productis used as a flotation agent in copper mining, and also in theleather industry for the removal of hair from hides.
It is believed that liquid containing sodium hydrosulfide andpossibly other contaminants made its way into the Davidson Rivernear the Ecusta Mill which caused a large fish kill, and promptedcitizen complaints. The leaks were contained as early as Wednesday28th of May. Federal and local authorities have taken samples andassessed the contamination sit. Upon the discovery of the leak andsubsequent "fish kill" local and federal authoritiesasked that citizens not to swim, bathe or drink the water near onthe Davidson River at the Ecusta Mill, until the extent of thecontamination could be determined. This precaution was taken inkeeping with safe public health practices.
Samples are still being analyzed for constituents of concern. However it has been determined that it is now permissible to usethe water for recreational purposes on the Davidson River near theEcusta Mill. This determination was based on several factors. First the leak was stopped as early as Wednesday the 28th of May. Secondly the river basin holds as much as 3000 gallons. With thesize of the river basin and the velocity of the river flow,authorities believe contaminated water has been diluted and movedfar downstream, away from the Ecusta Mill area. For these reasonsthe contaminant is believed to have been reduced to levels belowthe amount that would pose a risk to human health. Citizens shouldstill use some caution when using the waterway. Pay attention tosigns and symptoms which are described in the sodium hydrosulfidefact sheet. Citizens should be aware of these signs and symptomsassociated with sodium hydrosulfide while using Davidson River aslong as clean up operations are being conducted at the Ecusta Mill
If you have any questions please contact Transylvania CountyEmergency Management at 828-884-3188