300-metre cordon and hospitals on standby in factory chemical alert

HOSPITALS on alert, concerns for the health of exposed local residents and businesses locked down were sparked due to a ‘faulty valve’ at a chemical plant.

- JAMES HOLT

A major incident was declared yesterday morning after a chemical leak at the Lanxess plant on Tenax Road in Trafford Park.

A huge emergency services response attended the scene with a 300m cordon put in place amid rapid investigations throughout the afternoon.

Local residents and office workers were warned to keep their windows shut as one worker at the site, thought to have breathed in vapours from the leaked chemical, was also left injured, according to a source.

It is understood the chemical was phosphorus oxychloride; a colourless to pale yellow, fuming, oily liquid with a strong odour. It is used as a chlorinating agent and in making semiconductors, gasoline additives, plasticizers, and organophosphorus compounds such as pesticides.