DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a soybean by-product spill in a tributary of the Boyer River in Harrison County.
On March 8, the DNR Atlantic Field Office was notified about a transportation truck losing control spilling a feed additive called soybean soapstock. KSX Transportation LLC was carrying approximately 40,100 pounds of product when, due to icy road conditions, the truck rolled off the road and released an unknown amount of product.
Upon release, the product reached an unnamed tributary of the Boyer River. Clean-up efforts have begun. The tributary has been dammed. Booms have been placed approximately 250 feet downstream and a pumper truck is on-site removing the product from the tributary for proper disposal.
No injuries were reported and no dead fish were observed. Water samples were collected. The investigation is ongoing.
According to OSHA, soapstock is used to make soap. Soybean soapstock (pictured at top via OSHA) is a mixture of heavy soybean oils, water, and chemicals.