By Angela Gemmill

The Nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide has dissipated around Copper Cliff after a leak at Vale’s Acid Plant early this morning.

The mining company enacted a Level 3 Emergency and sounded the air horns just after 6am to notify nearby residents.

That was downgraded to a Level 1 just before 8:30 as the wind speed and weather prevented the chemicals from traveling outside the town boundaries.

No one was injured since Vale was on a planned maintenance period and there were few staff around.

Anyone exposed to nitrogen oxide could experience nose, throat, eye, skin or respiratory irritation.

A news conference is scheduled for 1pm at the Lionel E Lalonde Centre in Azilda to provide local media with more information.