In a news release today, the Ionia County Health Department said it has received numerous media requests regarding the temporary restraining order issued July 26 to Kassouni Manufacturing Inc. (KMI).

 

The department is clarifying the scope and intent of the order.

 

The order was sought by the health department following the July 19 fire at the facility to

address the necessity for the safe-handling of trichloroisocyanuric acid; it was to address

only the portion of the manufacturing process that involves trichloroisocyanuric acid, according to the release.

 

The health department is aware that there are aspects of KMI’s business that do not use or handle trichloroisocyanuric acid. The department does not intend or interpret the temporary order to apply to all of KMI’s manufacturing operations.

 

The department’s goal, stated in paragraph 15 of the order says:  “The department moves pursuant to MCR 3.310 and MCL 333.2465 for injunctive relief, requiring defendant, its agents and employees, and all persons with notice, to cease all production involving trichloroisocyanuric acid at its 815 Front Street Belding, Michigan manufacturing plant and to take immediate steps to secure all trichloroisocyanuric acid such that it does not pose a risk of explosion or potential harm to the public...”

 

“Thus, the health department wants to clarify that the temporary restraining order did not  shut down all operations at KMI but only those that involve  trichloroisocyanuric acid,” the release said.

 

The next step in the legal process is a show cause hearing before Judge Ronald

Schafer on Aug. 12 in Ionia County Circuit Court.