LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The JBS plant in Louisville's Butchertown neighborhood was briefly evacuated Thursday night while crews worked to contain a chemical leak. 

According to Louisville Fire Captain Tamara Stewart, fire and hazmat crews, as well as representatives with MSD and the Louisville Health Department responded to the scene. 

Stewart said there was odium bisulfite 40% leak, leading to a Level 1 hazmat situation. 

Company spokesperson Nikki Richardson confirmed the leak in a written statement and said the plant was expected to return to normal operations on Friday. 

"We had a sodium bisulfite leak in the rendering area of our Louisville pork production facility that resulted in a temporary evacuation of the plant," Richardson said. "There were no injuries. The leak has been stopped, and the facility is expected to be open and operational today."

Sodium bisulfite is used as a food preservative and in dye and chemical production. It's also used to make paper and leather. It can burn the skin and eyes... and smells like rotten eggs.

The leak was the result of a malfunctioning coupling on a pipe. An estimated 107 gallons was released. 

The leak was contained to the building, and no injuries were reported.

It's not the first time the plant has been evacuated because of a chemical leak. In June 2024 employees were asked to evacuate after an ammonia leak.

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