A toxic, green cloud of chlorine gas suspected of escaping a condenser pipe at Olin Chlor Alkali Products in northern Bradley County hung out over the Hiwassee River for a few hours Wednesday morning, causing alarm but no serious issues.
Olin officials said nobody from the plant was injured as a result of the leak.
“There have been no exposures or injuries among our employees, all of whom are safe and carrying out their duties,” said J.D. Dobson, a spokesman for Olin, on Wednesday.
Bradley County emergency officials effectively quarantined the area Wednesday until the gas disappeared, keeping unknowing travelers from wandering into the toxic, gaseous chlorine.
But there was a real potential danger, had anyone been around, said Troy Spence, director of the Bradley County Emergency Management Agency.