The Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia has ruled out long-term environmental damage following last month’s hydrochloric acid spill near Money Sweet Town in Jorquelleh District Number Two, Bong County.
EPA Executive Director Dr. Emmanuel King-Urey Yarkpawolo announced the findings Saturday in Gbarnga, telling journalists and civil society representatives that the incident was fully contained and posed no threat to groundwater, wetlands, or soil quality.
The spill occurred on January 18 when a truck operated by Everest Company, transporting acid for MNG Gold Liberia, was damaged in a roadside fire, releasing about 40 liters of the chemical. EPA officials said the company’s emergency team quickly extinguished the fire, secured the site, and neutralized the acid under agency supervision.
Community concerns grew days later as residents reported illnesses and crop damage. According to local accounts, more than 140 people sought medical care between January 24 and 26. The EPA dispatched a fact-finding mission on February 6, including technical officers, county inspectors, and civil society observers.
Laboratory tests confirmed that soil samples from the spill site and surrounding areas showed neutral pH levels, indicating the acid had been neutralized. Hydrogeological analysis found the soil’s low permeability made groundwater contamination unlikely. Water samples from a community hand pump showed no traces of acid but revealed bacterial contamination unrelated to the spill, which the EPA attributed to sanitation issues.
Dr. Yarkpawolo emphasized that while the EPA cannot determine medical links between reported illnesses and chemical exposure, the matter has been referred to the Ministry of Health. Allegations of crop damage will be investigated by the Ministry of Agriculture.
The EPA recommended that MNG Gold Liberia strengthen its emergency response systems, improve communication with host communities, and enhance hazardous materials training. The agency pledged continued monitoring of the company’s operations and reaffirmed its commitment to impartial enforcement of environmental laws.
Residents were assured that the EPA remains dedicated to transparency, scientific integrity, and safeguarding Liberia’s environment and public health.
