The explosion of a nitrogen tank at a production facility for titanium dioxide (TiO₂) belonging to US chemical producer Huntsman at Chempark Uerdingen in Germany injured 20 workers  – one of them seriously – on Aug.5 and local officials said it also released asbestos.

A spokesperson for the North Rhine-Westphalia environment authority Lanuv said the contamination at the facility at site was being treated as a “local event” that was not likely to pose a threat to nearby residential areas.

However, the levels of asbestos measured inside the partially collapsed building formerly belonging to chemical producer Sachtleben – the company acquired by Huntsman with its takeover of Rockwood last year – was being “taken seriously” by authorities.

The plant built in the 1950s was cordoned off in a 100-meter radius and on the weekend was declared off limits to cleanup crews because of the threat of contamination.

Production of TiO₂ was said to be operating normally, as the affected structure was at the end of the production chain.