Happened Saturday
A strong chemical odour spread across Kingston after a leak at the INVISTA plant on King Street West on Saturday.
Kingston Fire & Rescue (KFR) received multiple reports of the smell shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 22. The odour was first noticed near the old traffic circle at Bath Road, Concession Street and Princess Street but later spread west to Nickle Avenue and east to Highway 15.
INVISTA confirmed the leak came from its plant and identified the chemical as diphenyl oxide, used in industrial heat transfer. Some residents described the smell as "sickly sweet" or like "burning rubber and citrus."
While some people reported headaches, INVISTA said the chemical poses no health risk through inhalation. KFR assisted the plant’s emergency team, and no injuries were reported.
By Sunday morning, the smell had dissipated. INVISTA says it is monitoring the situation and will update the community if needed.
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