Document RpoBX9Z2eJkwM6BNzgz0gMNan

Claims Over 1949 Nitro Plant Blast Baffle State By CARLO J. SALZANO United Press Staff Correspondent An explosion that occurred almost five years ago at the Mo>anlo Chemical plant in Nitro has resulted in about 230 complaints to the state Compensation Commission which Commissioner George W. Stokes admits have the department "baffled.0 ' * --------------------------------------- The Mast orcurred in one of contamination 'from the exploded three autoclaves, a large - scale material tentatively identified as pressure cooker, when the safety, " a phenolic compound." valve and pipe connections blew; giokes said the firm was not able out and splashed t h e contents;^ positively identify the mixture throughout the building and over^ecausc 0f the uncertainty of the the surrounding terrain. * istate of the process at the time of Stokes said that several days fol-i^g accident, lowing the March. 1949, accident in; . . . . . . . .. .. ,, , Nitro. the commission.received re-r An investigation into the ailments quests for compensation to a num- developed by several workmen fol- her of workmrn injured in the-lowing the explosion led former WafiL -Commissioner Curtis B. Trent Jr.. Since then, and following the pas- ai)d Monsanto and union officials sage of the July. 1949, Occupation- to suspend the inquiry pending the al Disease Law. the commission`; utme Pj ^ injuries, has l>ern asked to compensate for'*tkes said. saaiidd wweerree a rreessuult of exposure to -ra s h -.. M-hos ...rt p:.ms" allrgcd lie compound. -. lo havp developed as a result on their own through anl .T^he 'three docltors also brought attorney last September. T h a d 8,n* ,four whlcl! ^ move was followed by individual'"5!" * co" i " ct P TM !* in an requests of some 200 other rm -rc 0/ . 0 *lr'^ * solution to the ployes who claimed disability dueiprb , ` . , . .. in Pirnncurp ' Stokes said one cf the rodents. 'p (which was dead, developed a black- Stokes said a thorough Investiga-Iencd condition under its fur. The ticn was begun with the appoint-'othir experimental rodents, also ment of a special examining board appeared to be "in an unhealthy composed of three doctors--Henryicondiion," Stokes said. Warden Jr., of Bluefield; John E.j Conducting the investigation Is Stone, of Huntington; and FrancisjDr. John P , Brick, of Charleston. C. Prundy, of Parkersburg. chairman of the Commission's Oc-, Stokes said the physicians diag cupational Disease Board. nosed the rash which appeared on Stokes said no conclusive evi a number of the men. as chlor-acne, dence has yet been found which, a skin disorder caused by exposure would enable the commission to to vapors of a phenolic compound. either reject or approve the re One of the men who was brought quests. up to his office Thursday had two Priority is being afforded the "large, black, greasy" spots un- first 27 men who are represented der his eyes and on his cheeks, by an attorney, Stokes said. An in- Stokes said. Another man displayed -quiry into the other claims will be roughened fingernails which he!held as soon as possible. * y2.