Chemical Leak at West Virginia Plant Kills Two, Sends 19 to Hospital
Two people have died and 19 others were taken to the hospital following a chemical leak at a silver recovery plant in Institute, West Virginia, authorities confirmed on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The incident occurred at Catalyst Refiners, a facility owned by Ames Goldsmith Corp., as workers were preparing to shut down part of the plant. According to C.W. Sigman, Kanawha County Commission’s emergency management director, a chemical reaction involving nitric acid and another substance produced hydrogen sulfide gas, leading to the leak.
Ben Salango, also with the Kanawha County Commission, confirmed the two fatalities and noted that at least one person remains in critical condition. A shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area, including West Virginia State University, around 9:53 a.m. And was later lifted.
Emergency responders conducted a large-scale decontamination operation, requiring all affected individuals to remove their clothing and undergo spraying down. Among those injured were seven ambulance workers who responded to the scene.
Ames Goldsmith Corp. Issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the incident.
“This is an unfathomably difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues and their families,” said Frank Barber Ames, president of Ames Goldsmith Corp.
The company stated it is cooperating with local, state, and federal agencies to investigate the cause of the leak.