Orange smoke cloud caused by metal spill at ArcelorMittal Dofasco

A community meeting earlier this week provided an update on the cause of a plume of thick orange smoke that filled the air around the ArcelorMittal Dofasco site in Hamilton’s north end last October.

The cloud of smoke had initially raised concerns for area residents who questioned the contents of the cloud and whether it had the potential to cause any harm.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco had previously released a statement saying the “emission” was the result of a “malfunction in the process of blowing oxygen” into a steelmaking furnace.

Members of a citizen liaison committee heard from Gas Gebara, the general manager of environment for the steel company, who says a malfunction resulted in “liquid steel unexpectedly leaving the steelmaking vessel.”

READ MORE: Orange smoke the result of ‘malfunction’ at Arcelormittal Dofasco in Hamilton

Gebara says the hot liquid metal spill led to a reaction where the steel, or iron, quickly oxidized and produced fine iron oxide particles that are orange in colour, contributing to the colouring of the smoke plume.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks carried out an inspection at the ArcelorMittal Dofasco site.

The ministry’s Environmental Compliance Officer required the steel company to implement alarms that would alert staff of any operational changes.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco says it installed alarms on its own accord as it felt they were necessary before restarting production.

The ministry said it has not laid any charges and there are no active investigations underway in relation to this incident.