Two Kansas companies were indicted on Wednesday on federal charges of safety violations that caused a greenish-yellow toxic chlorine gas to form over the city of Atchison back in October of 2016.
Midwest Grain Products, Inc. and Harcros Chemicals, Inc. of Kansas City, KS. are charged with Clean Air Act Violations that put the public in danger.
The indictment alleges that on Oct. 21, 2016, a driver for Harcros pulled a truck into Midwest Grain’s facility in Atchison to deliver sulfuric acid. An operator for Midwest Grain helped the driver access the transfer equipment.
When the driver mistakenly connected the sulfuric acid line to the sodium hypochlorite line, toxic gas began to form.
The indictment alleges both men violated safety rules by failing to verify to verify that the connection was correct and failing to monitor the transfer.
A web page, phone line and email address have been set up for victims to provide and receive information on the case.
Victims can get more information on US v. Midwest Grain Products, Inc., by visiting https://www.justice.gov/usao-ks/victim-witness and filling out a victim questionnaire, leaving a message on a designated phone line at 913-551-6543 or emailing questions to usaks.victim.witness@usdoj.gov .