Hopewell confirms strong odor caused by ammonia vapor leak at plant
Hopewell confirms strong odor caused by ammonia vapor leak at plant
Bill Atkinson, Petersburg Progress-IndexSun, May 10, 2026 at 6:35 AM UTC
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Authorities in Hopewell say an industrial leak of ammonia vapor prompted them to issue a shelter-in-place advisory for about 90 minutes late in the evening of May 9 after residents reported a strange chemical odor.
No one was reported injured by the release of the vapor or odor, which Hopewell Fire & EMS said occurred at AdvanSix on East Randolph Road around 9:20 p.m. As authorities investigated the source of the leak, the shelter-in-place advisory was issued at 9:35 p.m.
It was lifted shortly before 11 p.m. “after emergency personnel determined there was no ongoing risk to the community,” according to a statement from Hopewell spokesperson Kyle English.
The cause of the leak was not immediately determined and would be investigated by AdvanSix, English said.
A spokesperson for AdvanSix confirmed the leak in a statement, calling it “brief” and “quickly contained with no injuries onsite.”
Officials said the amount of release fell well below the U.S. Occupational Health & Safety Administration’s reportable threshold of 50 parts per million for an eight-hour period.
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According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, low emissions of ammonia vapor can cause eye, nose and throat irritation depending on proximity. Exposure to larger concentrations can cause chemical burns and lung damage, and may be fatal.
“As always, AdvanSix is committed to the safety and health of our neighbors and being responsible stewards for the protection of our environment,” the company statement said.
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Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) has won numerous awards during his 40-year journalism career. A Petersburg native, Bill is a 1984 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond with a degree in mass communications. He specializes in coverage of breaking news, crime, government, and local/state/national politics. He is an avid history buff and a lifelong Washington Commanders fan. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com with news tips and story suggestions.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Hopewell ammonia leak causes shelter in place
Source: “AOL Breaking”
