For 35 years, Tove Kåsa has bid close to one of the largest industrial parks in the country. She lives with a turmoil that many residents of Porsgrunn can recognize themselves in. Because inside the factory area, they handle some of the most dangerous gases that exist. When the alarm goes off, the neighbors do not know how serious it is. But they know that in the worst case, it can be fatal. On Wednesday night, Tove Kåsa was frightened again. And she was not alone. On Facebook, posts appeared with pictures of a dark yellow cloud of gas, and people expressed that they were scared. The dark yellow gas cloud frightened neighbors and residents of Porsgrunn on Wednesday night. Photo: Gry Hartvigsen The yellow smoke was visible from several places in the city. Photo: Tommy Abrahamsen There were many Facebook posts and comments about the spill on Wednesday night. Photo: Bjørg Teigen The discharge came from Yara’s nitric acid factory in Porsgrunn. Photo: Svein Kjetil Håheim – Concern A factory alarm was sounded at the Herøya industrial area in Porsgrunn just before 9 pm on Wednesday night. An unplanned stop in Yara’s nitric acid plant led to a nitrous oxide emission. Tove Kåsa was tinkering in her garden when she caught sight of the bright orange color of the sky. – It gave a shock. It looked very extreme. People wondered if they had to run in and close the windows. We do not know what happened there. A factory alarm was sounded at Herøya industrial park in Porsgrunn after a gas leak occurred on Wednesday night. The inhabitants of the area are called to an information meeting every quarter of a year. In addition, the industrial park posts information on its website. If there is a danger to the surroundings, the inhabitants must receive an SMS. Kåsa still does not know it is enough when she hears the alarm go off. – There should be faster information and more in-depth explanations. Also about what the discharge contains. Kåsa is constantly considering whether to sell the house, but does not think she will get the price she wants with the industrial park as the nearest neighbor. – I am considering moving. But I had certainly lost on it. DSB will investigate DSB has been notified of the emission which contained nitric oxide. Now they want to investigate the incident. – The gas is toxic and can be fatal if inhaled. So far it is not known that it has any actual consequences, says Brit Skadberg, section manager at DSB. Section chief of chemical safety at DSB, Brit Skadberg, will investigate the incident at Yara Porsgrunn on Wednesday. Photo: John-Andre Samuelsen / news DSB is waiting for a report from Yara and will then assess the severity of the incident. It may be necessary to inspect the factory. – I understand well that neighbors are worried, especially since this is a very visible smoke. When Yara tells us that it does not have our consequences of this discharge, we will follow up that the information they give us is correct and correct, says Skadberg. – No danger of personal injury The factory management at Yara Porsgrunn regrets what happened. They say that there was no danger of personal injury outside the factory area. – It is confirmed by the police and by the industrial protection here at Herøya industrial park. No persons were injured or affected by this, says factory manager Ole-Jacob Siljan. Factory manager Ole-Jacob Siljan at Yara Porsgrunn says that there was no danger of personal injury outside the factory area. Photo: Berit Heggholmen / news The factory manager thinks it can be discussed whether they should give the inhabitants faster information. – When we have such an event, there are two aspects that are extremely important to us. The first is to have full control of the employees, so we have control that no one is injured. The second is to ensure a safe closure of the factory. As soon as it is done we can go out and inform.
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