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Updated: January 2, 2025 @ 11:50 pm
Officials said a corn syrup blend from the Givaudan plant got into Beargrass Creek following the explosion in Nov. 2024. (WDRB drone image from Dec. 27, 2024)
Aftermath of damage caused to Louisville homes after the Givaudan Plant explosion. (WDRB photo)
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Officials said a corn syrup blend from the Givaudan plant got into Beargrass Creek following the explosion in Nov. 2024. (WDRB drone image from Dec. 27, 2024)
Aftermath of damage caused to Louisville homes after the Givaudan Plant explosion. (WDRB photo)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet said thousands of gallons of “corn syrup blend” got into Beargrass Creek following November’s explosion at the Givaudan plant in Louisville.
The cabinet said Team Kentucky has worked with several agencies since the explosion, “to ensure the safety of area residents and employees and the soundness of our water resources and environment.”
According to a statement released by the cabinet, “The explosion released a total of 5,000 gallons of corn syrup blend used by the company to develop pigment. Due to firefighting activity, the released corn syrup blend entered Beargrass Creek (by way of MSD storm drains).”
“Well, just hearing that, it doesn’t sound like corn syrup’s too dangerous by itself, but it’s still scary having this in the neighborhood with houses as close as they are to this,” said Tom Cunningham, who lives in the area.
He said his home wasn’t damaged from the blast, but he’s pushing for the plant to relocate.
“We moved here 20 some years ago and right after we moved was the first explosion, so it kind of feels like deja vu all over again,” he said.
About one week after the November explosion, Givaudan President Ann Leonard joined city officials as they addressed a packed room with neighbors looking for clarity about the company’s response and assistance plans.
“While we don’t know exactly what the future holds for our current site, please know we are looking at and prioritizing other locations to continue our operations going forward,” Leonard said on Nov. 18.
Lawsuits have been filed since the explosion from neighbors citing physical pain and suffering and loss of income, as well as another suit accusing Givaudan of negligence.
Officials said the cause of the explosion was a cooking vessel failure.
The ATF has worked alongside the Louisville Fire Department to investigate the cause which Shawn Morrow, special agent in charge of the Louisville field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives called an “industrial accident, and there’s no indication anyone did anything intentional to cause the explosion.”
Last week, MSD made the following post online about the clean-up:
“MSD remains actively involved in the response to the November 12 explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour plant more than a month later. Our Industrial Waste Department, after helping the fire department identify onsite chemicals and monitoring runoff into nearby Beargrass Creek is still on the scene. Although the cleanup has progressed and the situation remains stable, the team visits almost daily to provide regulatory oversight and to be involved in the conversations surrounding remediation efforts.”
According to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, the creek is continually monitored. No wildlife impacts have been seen, and the Ohio River remains unaffected, according to the cabinet. It said steps to prevent additional runoff include creating a trench and a 24/7 pump to catch runoff before it enters MSD storm drains.
“Additional chemical storage tanks (containing phosphoric acid, caustic soda, potash, 29% aqueous ammonia and 70% ammonium bisulfite solution) were not breached and were emptied, except for a caustic soda tank, which contains frozen product. This tank is regularly checked for breaches and is in a sound containment area,” the cabinet said in the statement.
Givaudan did not respond to a request Monday about the clean-up.
For questions directly related to Givaudan, call or text (502) 341-2903. Emails can also be sent to communitysupport@ddwcolor.com.
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