"Horrible Chemical Smell" Originates From Alco Chemical

The Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau has sent investigators to the downtown Chattanooga area in an effort to find the source of what some are describing as a "horrible chemical smell." Amber McCorvie with the Air Pollution Control Bureau said the first reports came in around 1:45 and they have since received "about a dozen complaints."

Chattanooga Fire Department spokesman Bruce Garner says the smell apparently originated from Alco Chemical at 909 Mueller Ave.

Garner said that according to officials at Alco , "it was a small accidental release of Ethyl Acrylate."

The chemical is not dangerous in small quantities. Garner said that a mere half-part per million of the chemical can smell quite badly. He said the vapors from the release carried toward downtown Chattanooga.

Garner says the the release has been contained. Fire department Chief Mack Moore says incident is over and there is no danger.

McCorvie says the Air Pollution Control Bureau will continue to investigate and that enforcement action is a possibility.

Click beneath "Associated Links" for detailed information from OSHA regarding Ethyl Acrylate.