Eastman says explosions no threat to environment
KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The Eastman Chemical Co. said two coal gas explosions and a fire this week at its Tennessee chemical plant posed no threat to the environment or human health.
Eastman said there were no serious injuries Wednesday at its Kingsport manufacturing facility from the blasts and fire. Neighbors were warned to shelter in place as a big plume of smoky black pollution rose in the air, some for more than four hours.
Eastman chief legal officer David Golden said carbon monoxide and hydrogen were released, but those emissions were at concentrations that didn’t threaten people’s health or cause any long-term environmental impact.
Golden said Eastman is still investigating the cause.