A SECOND chemical spill at a Cork plant is to be investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
There was a small explosion at the Corden Pharmachem plant in Little Island yesterday morning. Though there were no injuries the explosion caused the second chemical spill in a week at the plant.
Emergency Services were on the scene within minutes.
The small explosion was caused by the over-pressurisation of a vessel during the treatment of an aqueous waste solution at the rear of the production building.
Some of the waste solution spilled but it was contained at the site. Nobody was injured in the incident and the explosion did not appear to damage the environment. The Health and Safety Authority has been informed and the Environment Protection Authority has requested a report into the chemical spill. It is still awaiting a report following a separate incident at the plant last weekend.
Six fire units were called to the plant after that chemical leak last Sunday. A spokesman for Pharmachem said the solvent spillage was caused by the over-pressurisation of a 200-litre drum in a storage area at the back of the plant.
The company's own emergency crews dealt with the spill, with local fire brigade units providing backup.
The company has been at the 20-acre site since 1974.