QAL unleashes caustic spray of chemical onsite following equipment malfunction

Queensland Alumina Limited, one of the largest alumina refineries by alumina output capacity, on Tuesday unleashed a caustic spray of chemical following an equipment breakdown at Gladstone, central Queensland. The matter is being investigated by the Department of Environment and Science, according to which a high-pressure pipe bearing sodium hydroxide collapsed overnight on Tuesday, releasing the toxic spray over the sight and into the neighbourhood.

Queensland Alumina Limited stated that none was hurt due to the chemical leak and after looking into the scope of the spray, they also revealed that the effects were expected to be limited. However, Department of Environment and Science is investigating the matter to decipher the reason behind the incident.

According to Glenn Butcher, Queensland Minister for Manufacturing and Member for Gladstone, the well-equipped emergency response team of the refinery had immediately shut down the valves. While the pipes were "meticulously" tested, the abrasive nature of the product can cause holes in parts of the pipes or pumps.

"From what I'm led to believe, it was on Unit One, which is the closest to the Gladstone community,” said Glenn Butcher.

"The equipment was quickly isolated, and the release contained. Alkali in low concentrations does not have the potential to cause health effects,” said Queensland Alumina.

"It was like snow all over our cars. If it's eating my bonnet and making my bonnet bubble, if it eats away at steel what's it going to do to our health?" said Jennifer Dekker, a resident of the region.

Ms Decker said she had lived near the refinery for years, but this was the first time she had witnessed an occurrence like this. Mr Butcher stated that Queensland Alumina will send letters to anyone who has been affected, along with insurance information on how to file a claim with the firm and prevent additional harm.

"When an event like this happens they put in pads around certain locations around Gladstone which gives them an idea of how far the events spread," added Butcher.

"What you'll see across houses, particularly people with aluminium boats and anything aluminium that the caustic spray that comes out can etch into some of those things. People around that area they'll likely see just small, really fine speckles on those types of things,” commented Butcher.