Chemicals cleaned up after accidental spill at Crayola plant

A recent chemical spill at Crayola’s plant in Bethlehem Township was contained and cleaned with no damage to the surrounding area, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

A DEP spokesperson said it was notified of the spill June 17. A 250-gallon container of acrylic thickener sitting on the loading dock at Crayola’s facility at 2475 Brodhead Road in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park V was accidentally punctured.

Crayola spokesperson Karen Kelly said the leak was immediately sealed and most of the liquid was cleaned on the dock, but some escaped.

The spill was flushed into an onsite storm sewer with a fire hose, the DEP said. The water then flowed to a nearby retention pond.

Acrylic thickener is not considered a hazardous material, but Crayola contacted Forks Township-based JMT Environmental to do a thorough cleaning, Kelly said.

Altogether, more than 7,000 gallons of spill-related material, including the chemical, water and soil, were removed.

“Environmental responsibility is important to Crayola and we take it seriously,” Kelly said. “We understand that clean up of any materials, including non-hazardous materials, and prevention of further accidental spills is essential.”

The Bethlehem Township Municipal Authority was notified of the spill, DEP said.

DEP will conduct a final inspection Wednesday.