By Stew Kernan

A full scale investigation is underway after a release of noxious mist form Vale’s Acid Plant in Copper Cliff just before 6 this morning.

The inside of the facility is undergoing a draining and complete wash during a planned maintenance period…and it was during this procedure when a release of nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide took place.

Vale’s General Manager of Production Services, Jody Kuzenko says because the mist resulted in a visible plume outside of the plant, the decision was made to issue a Level 3 Emergency.

Kuzenko says levels of the mist reached .5 parts-per-million which is well below the acceptable Occupation Health and Safety Act level of 3.0, so it’s believed there was never a risk to the public.

The all-clear was given to the community just after 9am.