Longview, Washington — A deadly chemical storage tank failure at a paper mill in southwest Washington has exposed a regulatory gap that left responsibility for inspecting the massive structure largely in the hands of the facility’s operators.
Authorities say a 900,000-gallon storage tank containing a corrosive paper-making chemical known as white liquor ruptured Tuesday at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging plant in Longview. As of Friday, nine deaths had been confirmed, with two additional workers still missing and presumed dead.
State officials said no Washington agency was specifically responsible for inspecting the structural integrity of the above-ground tank before the disaster. While underground storage tanks are routinely inspected because of environmental risks, oversight of large above-ground industrial tanks is generally left to facility owners and operators.
The cause of the collapse remains under investigation by the federal Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. Washington’s Department of Ecology oversees environmental permits at the site, while the Department of Labor and Industries monitors workplace safety compliance, but neither agency conducts structural inspections of storage tanks.
The disaster also triggered environmental concerns. An unknown amount of white liquor spilled from the facility, with some entering nearby waterways and drainage systems connected to the Columbia River. State officials reported collecting more than 20 dead fish in the area and warned residents not to handle any dead wildlife found nearby.
Officials said Longview’s drinking water remains safe, although residents may notice odors near affected drainage areas as cleanup efforts continue.
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