Crime & Safety

Cleanup Ongoing At Dow Chemical Plant In Bristol

Bucks County officials said teams are working around-the-clock to ensure the safety of the site and community after a three-alarm fire caused two tanks to release chemicals in the air.

Officials said clean-up efforts at the Dow Chemical Plant in Bristol are ongoing after .

Odors from the two chemicals, Ethyl Acrylate and Butyl Acrylate, were released into the air following the incident, according to Bucks County officials. 

Dow Chemical officials said the material is contained, but as cleanup moves forward to completion odors may still be a factor in the region.

Find out what's happening in Levittownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Deputy Director Juliet E. Kelchner -- Bucks County Commissioners' Office of Public Information -- said county officials said the vapors are currently at acceptable levels, and may continue until the clean-up is complete and the air has time to clear.

The offending odor is made more obvious in the evening hours, when the air cools or air direction changes, according to officials. 

Find out what's happening in Levittownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

County officials said teams are working around-the-clock to ensure the safety of the site and community.

Area residents are advised that while the chemicals have the potential to cause minor throat or eye irritation, headaches and nausea, these symptoms will continue to lessen as the air clears, and the smell dissipates. Continuing air monitoring is taking place.

The county said it will continue to provide updates as available.

Dow Chemical opened a community hotline to provide residents and others with updates on the cleanup efforts in Bristol. The number is 215-781-4600. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.