On July 14, 2007, the Empire facility released approximately 400 pounds of ammonia into the environment at their cold storage warehouse and packaged ice facility, located at 1327 N. Oak Street Spokane, Washington according to the EPA settlement. Empire uses large quantities of anhydrous ammonia at the facility as a refrigerant.
The leak occurred when a failed pressure gauge caused a release of anhydrous ammonia that lasted up to three hours. EPA alleges that Empire then failed to immediately notify local and state agencies about the release. While no injuries were reported at the time of the accident, ammonia is a pungent, toxic gas that attacks skin, eyes, throat, and lungs and can cause serious injury and death.
The ammonia release and the failure to notify appropriate agencies are violations of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).