A chemical leak at Catalyst Refiners, a silver recovery plant in Institute, West Virginia, on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, resulted in two deaths and at least 30 injuries, including one person in critical condition. The incident, which generated toxic hydrogen sulfide during a cleaning process, underscores the risks in chemical recovery operations and may prompt tighter safety scrutiny for similar facilities globally.
Incident details
The leak occurred as employees were preparing to shut down part of the Catalyst Refiners facility, according to C.W. Sigman, director of emergency management for the Kanawha County Commission. A violent chemical reaction between nitric acid and another substance took place, releasing toxic hydrogen sulfide. Sigman noted that "the beginning and end of a chemical reaction are the most dangerous times." The reaction happened during a cleaning process, said Kanawha County Commission President Ben Salango.
Casualties and response
Two deaths occurred on-site, and at least 30 people were hospitalized. Among the injured were seven emergency medical technicians who responded to the scene. One patient remained in critical condition, according to Governor Patrick Morrisey. Hospitals in the area, including Vandalia Health Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine Thomas Memorial Hospital, treated patients with respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, and eye irritation. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area and lifted more than five hours later.
Decontamination and investigation
A large-scale decontamination operation was conducted, requiring individuals to remove clothing and be sprayed down. Governor Morrisey stated that local air quality and water supply were not affected. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation, with six months to complete its review. Catalyst Refiners' owner, Ames Goldsmith, expressed condolences and pledged full cooperation with local, state, and federal authorities.
What buyers should watch
Chemical buyers and downstream users should monitor the investigation's findings, as they may lead to stricter safety protocols for silver recovery and similar chemical processing operations. The incident highlights the hazards of hydrogen sulfide generation during cleaning processes, which could affect supply reliability from facilities that handle nitric acid and silver-bearing residues. Importers and distributors of precious-metal recovery chemicals should review their suppliers' safety records and contingency plans.
China sourcing context
While this incident occurred in the United States, it serves as a reminder for global chemical buyers to assess safety standards across their supply chains. China is a major producer of silver and other precious-metal chemicals, and similar recovery processes are used there. Buyers sourcing from Chinese suppliers should verify compliance with international safety norms and inquire about emergency response protocols to mitigate risks of supply disruptions.
Source: Read the original report | Published: April 22, 2026