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Nippon Dynawave chemical tank failure investigation

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2026-09-02 06:05 UTC → 2026-09-04 20:21 UTC · added removed

A federal investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has detailed the causes of a catastrophic tank failure at the Nippon Dynawave Packaging Company mill in Longview, Washington, on May 26, 2026. The failure of the 1.2-million-gallon ‘G Tank’ released approximately 900,000 gallons of hot, highly caustic white liquor, resulting in 11 deaths and several injuries. Findings indicate that the carbon-steel tank shell had thinned below safe limits. Despite inspection recommendations for repairs or internal inspections issued as early as July 2025, and subsequent confirmations of unsafe wall thickness in October 2025 and February 2026, the company kept the tank in service. On the day of the incident, a process upset caused the tank to reach 90% capacity before it failed. In addition to Recent records reveal a long-standing history of safety and environmental issues at the CSB investigation, facility. Since 2016, the Washington Department of Ecology has issued an administrative notice of 54 environmental violations violation notices to the company. The agency is currently documenting company, totaling $41,500 in fines. Furthermore, the Department of Labor and Industries has investigated over a dozen safety complaints since 2018. Since 2015, the company has paid more than $2.4 million in workers’ compensation claims for 169 injured employees, including those involving caustic substance exposure. Chemical engineering expert Stephen Kmiotek described the pattern of equipment failures and violations as a ‘red flag,’ suggesting the site had not been properly maintained. While the Washington Department of Ecology continues to document violations related to the spill to determine potential enforcement actions, including compliance orders or monetary penalties. May spill, investigations into the tank collapse remain ongoing.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-04 20:21 UTC Nippon Dynawave chemical tank failure investigation
  2. 2026-09-02 06:05 UTC Nippon Dynawave chemical tank failure investigation

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