Clifton explosion: Not the first incident for Payne Street facility

An explosion at the Givaudan Sense Colour industrial facility rocked the Clifton neighborhood Tuesday and triggered a massive emergency response — but it's not the first time.

In April 2003, an explosion at the same plant "caused a massive release of aqua ammonia," or ammonia solution in water, according to an investigation from the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board.

The explosion at the plant — then operating under the name D.D. Williamson & Co. — killed one worker and triggered an evacuation of 26 people and a shelter-in-place for 1,500 people.

Here's what the plant's history shows:

In the wake of the 2003 explosion, investigators determined a failed feed tank, used in the plant's production of food-grade caramel coloring, was responsible.

Investigators also found flaws in D.D. Williamson's operating procedures as possible causes for the incident. These included:

In the 2003 incident, when the feed tank exploded, the head of the tank was sent flying 100 yards.

The tank's shell "was propelled off its foundation," striking an aqua ammonia storage tank and causing a 26,000-pound aqua ammonia leak, which then drifted southwest as a vapor cloud into the surrounding neighborhood.

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One operator was killed in the explosion, due to "massive trauma," according to the federal report.

Ammonia is toxic, especially in large quantities or repeat exposures, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms may include irritation of the mouth, nose, throat, lungs, eyes and skin.

"While most people recover, survivors who breathed in large amounts may suffer long-term lung damage," according to the CDC, and eye contact may lead to cataracts or blindness.

In 2021, Givaudan, a Swiss company, acquired D.D. Williamson & Co.

According to 2021 Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District permits for the plant, it still makes caramel colorings for the food industry.

The Payne Street facility has also seen regulator attention more recently, because of alleged violations of local air pollution regulations.

Last year, the Air Pollution Control District issued two notices of violation against the plant, The Courier Journal reported in the wake of the recent explosion.

In one case, the district alleged the company "failed to submit annual reports, semi-annual reports, and Annual Compliance Certifications by permitted deadlines, and has failed to monitor and record equipment ranges" as required by the facility's permit.

In another instance, the district said the company failed to submit notices of excess emissions, as required by district regulations.

Both cases were resolved through settlements with the district, for a combined $7,500, according to district records.

The Courier Journal was unable to reach the company by phone after business hours on Tuesday.

Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach him directly [email protected] or on X@byconnorgiffin.