Trace of chemical leaves REC Silicon

MOSES LAKE — Trace amounts of metal chlorides were contained in a steam cloud rising and dissipating over REC Silicon Wednesday night.

“It wasn’t the most hazardous, but there were some trace elements in it,” said Director of Operations Kent Stephens said on Thursday. “As a precautionary measure we activated the siren.”

The steam was generated by rain and water, used for cleaning equipment, coming into contact with a water reactive chemical.

“We were cleaning up plant 3 … it was de-inventoried of chemicals,” said Stephens.

Neighbors were alerted to the situation by messages from the reverse 9-1-1 notification system at nearly 8 p.m., but it was roughly 25 minutes after the event began.

“We called it in within a minute but there was a problem of reaching emergency service management,” Stephens said. “I know there is some concern with the 25 minute delay and we need to work on that. The delay is not acceptable … It is something we need to work on.”

Once the steam dissipated, the “all clear” notification was given at 8:27 p.m.

— Staff report