McARTHUR, Ohio — Austin Powder confirmed that nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from its Red Diamond Plant ceased Wednesday afternoon.

The company in a news release said it is taking every measure to ensure the solution is both sufficient and permanent so that an evacuation order can be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.

Immediately after discovering the NOx release early Wednesday, Austin Powder activated its emergency response protocols and notified the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Preliminary investigation indicates the NOx was vented due to decomposition of nitric acid contained in a 5,000-gallon on-site storage tank.

The nitric acid remained fully contained — there were no spills or leaks.

Air quality modeling shows that preliminary NOx concentration levels at the plant’s fence line were below health-hazard thresholds.

There have been no recorded injuries, and no adverse health impacts have been identified to date.

Austin Powder is closely coordinating with local authorities and first responders and has launched an internal investigation into the incident. The company is also committed to supporting external agencies in their ongoing assessments.

“The health and safety of our employees and the surrounding community remain our top priority,” the company states in its r2elease. “All precautions are being taken to mitigate any future risks, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.”

Founded in 1833, Austin Powder manufactures, distributes, and works on application of industrial explosives for quarrying, surface mining, underground mining, oil and gas, seismic, and construction markets.

The company’s mission is to improve the world we live in through the safe and responsible use of explosives.

Austin Powder provides a broad range of highly engineered solutions all of which are developed to advance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of breaking rock.

It has more than 4,800 employees and operations in 27 countries around the world.

Learn more at austinpowder.com.