A chemical leak on April 22 at Catalyst Refiners in Institute, WV, killed two people and injured 30 more. Seven of the injured were ambulance workers who were exposed to toxic gas while responding to the scene.
The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. during the cleaning and decommissioning of some equipment at the facility, when nitric acid and at least one other substance were mixed, generating toxic hydrogen sulfide gas in an area where numerous employees were present, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board.
Were You Injured by a Chemical Leak?
Catalyst Refiners Chemical Leak
Catalyst Refiners, owned by Ames Goldsmith, conducts silver and ethylene oxide catalyst refining operations. During this process, nitric acid is used to dissolve extraneous materials from jewelry, electronics, and other equipment, leaving behind silver nitrate that can later be further processed to recover pure silver.
On the morning of April 22, workers at Catalyst Refiners were cleaning and decommissioning some equipment when nitric acid came into contact with another chemical, creating a toxic cloud of gas.
The first call to 911 came at 9:38 a.m. and at 9:50 a.m., the Emergency Operations Center was activated.
When emergency responders arrived on scene, employees wearing respirators were dragging their injured coworkers out of the facility.
Injured employees were taken to Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, where they reported experiencing the following respiratory symptoms:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Itchy eyes
Why Is Hydrogen Sulfide Dangerous?
Hydrogen sulfide gas causes a wide range of health effects depending on the concentration and duration of exposure. Exposure to very high concentrations can be fatal. Based on information from hospitals treating Catalyst Refiners workers, the symptoms and effects associated with this incident are in the lower half of the chart below from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Chemical Valley
Located about 10 miles west of Charleston, Institute is in a region of the Kanawha Valley known as “Chemical Valley,” where toxic leaks and explosions happen frequently, according to residents. According to a report from Mountain State Spotlight, these incidents include:
- A 2008 explosion at a pesticide plant that killed two workers
- A 2010 chemical release that killed one worker
- A 2014 chemical spill that contaminated the residential water supply
- A 2018 tank leak injured two people
Patrick Clark, who lives about half a mile from the plant, told 59News that gas leaks happen so often he carries a mask with him everywhere he goes. Worried about long-term health impacts from this incident, the Clark family may consider a move, he told the station.
History of Violations at Catalyst Refiners
At Catalyst Refiners, accidents and safety violations occurred in 2007, 2013, 2015, and 2018, according to a report by WCHStv.com
2007- OSHA inspectors found eight violations, five of them serious
2007 Chemical Explosion – Four employees were injured in a chemical explosion and were hospitalized with chemical burns and respiratory issues.
2013 – A tank was leaking nitric acid
2015 – The company’s license was revoked after it failed to file an annual report
2018 Inspection Issue with powered industrial trucks
Chemical Safety Board Investigation into Catalyst Refiners Chemical Release
“We are opening an investigation into this tragic incident to determine how it happened and identify ways to help prevent something like this from happening again,” said CSB Chairperson Steve Owens. The investigation will be the second opened so far in 2026. Last year, the CSB opened five investigations and completed four others from previous years.
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Pritzker Hageman is a national personal injury law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients who were injured in explosions, fires, chemical exposures, and truck crashes, and for families who suffered the wrongful death of a loved one.
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If you or your family was affected by the Catalyst Refiiners chemical leak, you can call 1-888-377-8900 or contact us online to talk with a lawyer for a 100% free, no-obligation consultation
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