WGXC-90.7 FM

Chemical leak at SABIC leads to evacuations in Selkirk

Sep 01, 2020 2:45 pm
WNYT-TV is reporting emergency officials have issued an evacuation notice for non-essential businesses located near SABIC Innovative Plastics on Noryl Avenue in Selkirk after a hazardous chemical leak early on September 1. Bethlehem police and Selkirk firefighters responded to SABIC around 6 a.m. The governor’s office says a safety release valve on a train car released styrene monomer, a hazardous chemical additive used during the plastic manufacturing process. Non-essential businesses within half a mile of SABIC must evacuate. Officials are also telling residents who live within one mile of the company to shelter in place. If a resident must evacuate, emergency crews will come to their location. Several surrounding roads are closed to traffic. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has deployed state resources to assist with the situation. The incident is under investigation. SABIC is a Saudi multinational chemical manufacturing company and a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco. Saudi Aramco is the second largest public company in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia. Read more at wnyt [dot] com.