Like all our neighbors across Asheville and Western North Carolina, we are fully focused on assessment and recovery efforts at and around our facility. Our top priority is the safety of our community, employees and search and rescue teams helping the community as we all work together to restore and rebuild.
We want to reassure the public that the plastic pipe Silver-Line manufactures meets the highest safety standards and poses no environmental or health hazards.
As for materials, we do not keep any stockpiles of solvents or caustics on-site. In addition, Silver-Line does not use or have vinyl chloride or vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). VCM is used to produce PVC resin. We receive already-manufactured PVC resin, which is non-hazardous and inert, and use it in the production of pipe.
After flood waters receded, a FEMA HAZMAT team was on-site and completed an assessment – they did not find any chemical leakage on our property. In addition, we have been and continue to collaborate with local and federal health, environmental and safety authorities, including the U.S. EPA.
A major focus of our recovery efforts has been the collection and secure containment of any scattered pipes and other materials that washed off-property. Last week, we began this process and are continuing to recover material, ensuring it is being secured and contained on-site with proper handling and safety. This is a critical priority for us as we work diligently to restore and protect our surrounding community.
As there has been some misleading and inaccurate information being shared across social media, please rely only on information provided by Silver-Line, or a local or federal health, environmental or safety agency or authority on this matter. We remain committed and will continue to be transparent, and as communicative as possible as we have more information.