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A SERIOUS leak of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) at the Cristal Global plant in Stallingborough, Humberside, UK, has hospitalised four workers.

Cristal Global manufactures titanium dioxide (TiO₂). The company says that a pressurised TiCl4 container ruptured at around 00.10 on 5 March 2010. TiCl₄, used in TiO₂ manufacture, formed a large cloud and drifted over the River Humber. Four workers at the plant were taken to Grimsby hospital for treatment suffering from chemical burns and toxic inhalation. One was transferred to a specialist burns hospital, Pinderfield Hospital. Another has since been discharged.

The Cristal Global plant is a top-tier COMAH site, and the UK Coastguard and a Royal Air Force (RAF) rescue helicopter were immediately called to the site. A temporary danger area (TDA) was set up by the RAF and flying restrictions are in place. All shipping on the Humber was halted. One ship, the MV Baltic Bright, was in the area at the time of the leak, and the crew was checked by paramedics. The Humber Coastguard has warned that there may still be a risk in the area from toxic fumes.

According to the BBC, Humberside Fire and Rescue says that air samples are being tested in the area for the presence of TiCl₄, and while there is not believed to be any immediate danger, the public are advised to stay indoors. Ten fire engines attended the scene and fire crews used a blanket of foam to contain the chemical spillage.

“Our thoughts and our focus are primarily with our injured colleagues at this time, but we are also working with the emergency services to prepare the area for a complete investigation as to the cause of the incident. The plant will remain shut down until we are confident that we can restart and operate safely,” says Cristal Global.