A no-contact advisory has been issued for the Kalamazoo River after a chemical spill occurred at the Pfizer manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
According to city health officials, Pfizer released more than 1,057 gallons of methylene chloride in the processing area of its manufacturing facilities, which was then discharged into the Kalamazoo River.
Methylene chloride is a colorless liquid that Pfizer and other pharmaceutical manufacturers use as a solvent in their pharmaceutical products.
After the chemical spill occurred, Kalamazoo County health officials warned residents not to come into contact with the Kalamazoo River.
Kalamazoo County Health Officer Jim Rutherford said, “We have decided to issue a no-contact advisory for the stretch of river affected by the methylene chloride release as a precautionary measure.”
“This advisory will remain in place until further investigation and sampling indicates there is no risk to public health,” Rutherford added.
#NEWS || Just another accidental spill#Pfizer Methylene Chloride Spill Requires Kalamazoo River No-Contact Advisory
Pfizer notified the Kalamazoo Department of Public Utilities that approximately 1,057 gallons of the chemical had been released into the process area of… pic.twitter.com/FcFJOhtAtt
— Maryam Henein/ (aka BeeLady) / Not Psyop (@MaryamHenein) March 16, 2024
According to Fox 17 News:
The city of Kalamazoo has issued a no-contact notice for the Kalamazoo River, due to concerns that Pfizer released an excessive amount of the chemical into a dedicated drain.
According to the city, Pfizer advised that approximately 1,057 gallons of methylene chloride were released into the process area of the manufacturing facility located on Portage Road.
They don’t know the exact amount of the colorless liquid that was discharged, but it was put into a dedicated drain that leads to the Kalamazoo Water Reclamation Plant for treatment. The facility is designed and licensed to process up to 291 gallons per day of methylene chloride.
For this reason, the Kalamazoo County Department of Health and Community Services, in conjunction with the City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Services, advises everyone to avoid contact with the Kalamazoo River from the Paterson Street Bridge in the City of Kalamazoo to Dave Avenue Bridge. in Cooper District.
Pfizer “anticipates” that there are no health risks to residents near the Kalamazoo River.
Pfizer assures that there will be no health risks after the methylene chloride spill in Kalamazoo. Just as there are no health risks associated with the anti-Covid vaccine. Right!!!! https://t.co/iIb44WhGw1
— Kazoomike (@MikePIMarine) March 14, 2024