BY SHEILA McLAUGHLIN and DAVE ECK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FRANKLIN - A non-toxic cloud of orange had residents seeing red Wednesday after an accidental release of fluorescent pigment from the Miami Valley Coated Paper Co. on Oxford Road.
Warren County authorities said South Avenue, directly behind the plant, was hardest hit. Houses, cars and roads were splattered with a neon sheen.
Residents there said the orange gooey mess fell like a mist. "It was like rain coming down," said Anna Sparkman. "It was in our hair, on our faces."
The black-topped streets looked as if they were made of red clay. The substance covered sidewalks, and roofs were colored orange. "We were worried about inhaling it," said Tressa Besserman. "It's all over our back yard. I have a deck back there. It's ruined."
Mrs. Besserman said she called the company, but no one told her what the substance was or what to do about it.
"I actually thought somebody would have been here first thing this morning," she said. "I'm getting more frustrated the more I wait."
'Little goes long way'
A resident reported the release about 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, and firefighters and police officers traced the accident to the paper company.
Company workers were unaware of the incident and shut down production immediately, firefighters said.
Robert Tarr, Miami Valley Paper's general manager, said he did not know how much pigment was released but said it is non-toxic. The substance is used to coat poster board.
"A little bit of this goes a long way. The day-glo colors are pretty apparent," Mr. Tarr said.
Company officials were working Wednesday to pinpoint the cause of the release, which was reported to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. "We're not sure if a feed line became blocked or became overwhelmed. Some of the pigment-type coating got into a vent to the atmosphere," Mr. Tarr said.
Normally, the pigment is returned through the feed line into a tank and recycled for use in later production, he said.
The company, firefighters and police fielded a handful of calls Wednesday from residents complaining about damage.
"We have neighbors that we're going to have to wash their cars. If it's on (house) roofs and things, we will take care of it," Mr. Tarr said.
The pigment can be removed with soap and water, according to Mr. Tarr. Residents or businesses affected by the release can call the paper company at 746-6451.
A mainstay in Franklin for decades, Miami Valley Paper Co. sells specialty papers to printers and label and tag producers.
The company recently received city approval for an 18,000-gallon propane tank on the Oxford Road property despite safety concerns from nearby residents.
