Story perspectives

Catalyst Plant Hydrogen Sulfide Leak Kills 2, Injures 19

4/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

A violent reaction between nitric acid and a cleaning agent at the Catalyst Refiners plant in Institute, West Virginia, released hydrogen sulfide.
The leak killed two workers, injured 19 others and hospitalized seven first-responders for respiratory symptoms.
Kanawha County officials activated the Emergency Operations Center at 9:46 a.m., issued a one-mile shelter-in-place order and coordinated with Governor Patrick Morrisey and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

History

Historical Context

The Bhopal disaster occurred on December 2-3, 1984, when a gas leak at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant exposed over 500,000 people to methyl isocyanate, resulting in at least 2,259 immediate deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries. The incident highlighted severe safety lapses and led to a $470 million settlement in 1989, emphasizing the need for improved safety regulations in chemical manufacturing.

1 of 2

Story summary

A violent reaction between nitric acid and a cleaning agent at the Catalyst Refiners plant in Institute, West Virginia, released hydrogen sulfide.
The leak killed two workers, injured 19 others and hospitalized seven first-responders for respiratory symptoms.
Kanawha County officials activated the Emergency Operations Center at 9:46 a.m., issued a one-mile shelter-in-place order and coordinated with Governor Patrick Morrisey and U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

1 / 2