CBRN event in United States of America on Thu 4th June 2026

Three people transported to a hospital after an accidental chlorine gas release at a water treatment plant in Portage County on Wednesday, June 3, have been treated and released, Akron officials said Thursday morning, June 4. One building at the Akron Water Plant in Franklin Township, near Kent, remained closed Thursday while crews worked to dispose of the improperly mixed chemicals in two affected tanks, according to a news release from the city. Portage County EMA officials in a Thursday morning Facebook post said they’ve received complaints from residents about a chlorine odor in the area. “We are happy to report that team members [Thursday] morning confirmed chlorine levels within normal ranges at the plant and there is no concern to the public,” reads the post. City officials on Wednesday said a delivery of alum to the plant was mistakenly added to tanks containing sodium hypochlorite, causing a chemical reaction that created toxic chlorine gas. Symptoms from short-term exposure to chlorine gas typically resolve in one to two weeks. More serious exposure cases can cause persistent lung issues, including chemical-related asthma, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long-term exposure can weaken teeth, lead to flu-like symptoms and carries a higher risk of airway dysfunction. The release injured two plant employees and the delivery truck driver and prompted Portage County Emergency Management Agency to issue a shelter-in-place order in a half-mile radius around the plant. Residents nearby were told to close windows and turn off HVAC systems. The shelter order was lifted later that evening. The city’s drinking water supply was not affected, county officials said Wednesday.