BFGoodrich probes material release

BRECKSVILLE, Ohio (Aug. 11)—BFGoodrich Performance Materials´ officials and safety agency representatives are investigating the cause of the release of a quantity of butadiene, a flammable material used in the production of synthetic rubber, on Aug. 10 at its general chemical plant in Akron. The accidental release occurred at about 2 p.m. and about 100 employees and visitors to the plant were evacuated. While no injuries were reported, three BFGoodrich workers, who were in the vicinity of the release, were taken to Akron General Hospital. They were released at 4:15 p.m. Fire and Hazmat officials began allowing plant employees to return to the facility at 7 p.m. It appears no areas outside the plant were affected by the release, the company said.