Explosion at Ink Plant Sends Seven Workers for Treatment

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of an Oct. 9 explosion that sent seven Sun Chemical workers to area hospitals, including three who were treated at a regional burn center, The Bergen Record reported.

Employees of US Ink, owned by Sun Chemical, were working with a chemical mixture, carbon and vegetable oil, which makes newspaper ink when a carbon compound ignited, the newspaper reported. It caused an explosion and fire in ductwork that was quickly extinguished by firefighters, but not before causing first- and second-degree burns to the workers.

NBC 4 New York, quoting a law enforcement official, reported that the fire and chemicals spread to other workers after a fire extinguisher was used to put out the flames from the mixing vat. While the worker used the extinguisher, the contamination was spread from the original two victims to five more employees.

At no time was the general public or the environment at risk for contamination or impact, the paper said, quoting Sun Chemical and fire authorities. While the cause of the explosion and fire hasn't been determined, a fire chief reported it did not appear to be caused by human error. PI