On 24 March 2023, the Trinseo Altuglas chemical plant in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the United States had an equipment failure that resulted in a leak of between 8,100 and 12,000 gallons of butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, and methyl methacrylate into Otter Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.
Many have drawn comparisons to the 2023 East Palestine train derailment, as one of the chemicals spilled, butyl acetate, occurred in both incidents. A map released by the city labelled areas east of the Schuylkill River could be potentially impacted, and that areas west of the Schuylkill would not be impacted by the spill. The chemicals spilled were all sourced from a water soluble latex polymer solution.
Government response
Mobile emergency alerts were sent on 26 March to the phones of residents of the nearby city of Philadelphia, informing them that there had been a spill into the water supply, advising to avoid drinking tap water until further notice. Another alert was later sent out, saying that pretreated water prior to the spill would allow water to be drinkable in the city's tap throughout at least the coming Monday, and that it was not necessary to drink from bottled water.
On 27 March, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney claimed in a Tweet that outgoing water from the Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant was safe to drink. An advisory on 27 March, the city stated that the water supply would be safe to stockpile from until 3:30 PM the next day. Following the 2nd update, the city encouraged residents to store tap water before the deadline.
A 3rd advisory came on 28 March, with notice that the water from Baxter had once again tested safe to drink, and that water would be guaranteed safe to drink until midnight on 29 March.
A final advisory was issued later that night, guaranteeing that the drinking water was not contaminated by the spill. Mayor Kenney released a statement later that day saying that "the threat has passed". The city stated that they would further assess any possible enhancements to infrastructure to prevent future spills.
Prior to the determination of clean water in the river, townships such as Mantua cut off their water supply that fed in from the Delaware River.
After the city was informed of the spill, they shut off the intake pipe to prevent further contamination of the river. Continuous testing was done within the Philadelphia water system to track for any possible contaiminants as a result of the spill. Many nearby counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as western New Jersey also began testing their water supply in precaution to the leak.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection stated that there had not been any discernable effect on the fish and wildlife of the area. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that at least 8,100 gallons (30,662 liters) of chemical had been spilled into the river, with a possible maximum being 12,000 gallons (42,424 liters). The EPA, NOAA, PDEP, and PFBC also visited the site to monitor for ecological damage and health risks.Aqua Pennsylvania and New Jersey American Water were unable to find traces of the chemicals in the water supply.
Following the incident, Mike Carroll, director of Philadelphia's Office of Transportation, stated that it was likely that no contaminants would enter the tap water system of Philadelphia.
Cause and internal investigation
An internal investigation by the company publicized that the cause of the spill had been a failure of the equipment at the facility, creating an overflow of chenmical, causing a pipe to burst. The chemicals then leaked into a storm drain that led to the river.
On 29 March, an investigation on the behalf of Trinseo investors was announced to take place regarding possibile violation of the Securities Act of 1933.
Public reaction and effects on health
Many citizens of Philadelphia within the jurisdiction of the Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant were frustrated with the short term notice of the leak, leading many to rush to buy bottled water, selling out many stores within minutes.
American conservationist Gary Belan in a statement demanded that further attention be given to the spill, and that any adverse effects caused by the contamination should create accountability on behalf of Trinseo.
Water providers stated that there were no severe health risks following the polluting of the river, and professor of environmental health at Johns Hopkins Keeve Nachman speculated that short-term ingestion of the contaminated waters wouldn't have any long-term impacts.Bucks County health officials corrobrated the claims of experts, saying that the spill contaminants would be non-toxic to humans.
The chemicals spilled are not known to be toxic to humans in the quantity spilled, and no adverse health effects have been reported within the county. Philadelphia Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll said that it would be unlikely that any of the contaminents would enter the water system