Kentucky environmental attorney Sanders says ammonia release at American Cold Storage kills two maintenance workers in Louisville, KY.

Several state and local emergency response agencies investigated an anhydrous ammonia leak about 4:30 p.m. at American Cold Storage, 607 Industry Road, Louisville, Kentucky. This facility is a bullk refrigeration storage plant for food products.

According to the Louisville Fire Department, about a dozen employees had evacuated the building before firefighters arrived. Once on the scene, two workers had to be removed by firefighters wearing hazmat suits. The workers later died from their exposure to the ammonia.

American Cold Storage was formed in 1981 with the purchase of Louisville Freezer in Louisville, KY. In 1987 this facility was expanded to 4.8 million cubic feet. Refrigerant grade anhydrous ammonia is a clear, colorless liquid or gas, free from visible impurities. It is at least 99.95 percent pure ammonia.

Ammonia is considered a high health hazard because it is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs. Exposure to 300 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. Ammonia refrigeration systems are used quite frequently in facilities that provide industrial refrigeration.