Hydrofluoric Acid Leak at Silfab Solar Raises Serious Safety Concerns in Fort Mill
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A chemical incident involving hydrofluoric acid (HF) at the Silfab Solar facility in Fort Mill has intensified concerns about safety, transparency, and the appropriateness of this operation near local schools and neighborhoods.
What Happened
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, a hydrofluoric acid leak was reported at the Silfab Solar manufacturing facility in York County at approximately 8:30 a.m.
Hydrofluoric acid is classified as an Extremely Hazardous Substance and is known for its ability to penetrate skin and cause severe, potentially fatal systemic toxicity.
Key facts from the incident:
In a press conference after the spill, Silfab Solar reported the leak had been occurring for multiple days before the public became aware, raising serious questions about internal accountability.
The leak was not reported by Silfab.
The source was a tank leaking at a slow but continuous rate (there are discrepancies about the rate of the leak between Silfab’s reports and DES reports).
The chemical was reportedly contained using multiple containment systems.
This marks the second chemical incident at the facility within a single week, following a potassium hydroxide spill just days earlier.
Immediate Impact on the Community
The proximity of the Silfab facility to local schools led to immediate disruption:
Flint Hill Elementary School was closed for two days
Students already en route to Flint Hill Elementary School were diverted to Pleasant Knoll Middle School
Parents were required to pick up children from an alternate location beginning at 9:00 a.m.
These actions were taken on the advice of emergency responders. Later statements from both Silfab and York County claimed respectively that there was “no need for emergency services or any public safety concerns” and “no health risk to the community.”
Conflicting Messaging
Public concern has been heightened by inconsistencies between official statements and real-world actions:
Silfab Solar stated there was “no emergency” and no need for public safety response.
York County officials reported “no health risk to the community.”
The school district, however, closed a school and redirected students as a precaution.
SC DES was onsite the previous day for the KOH spill and did not note the HF leak.
At the same time, a Silfab representative acknowledged the leak had been ongoing for several days, raising serious questions about monitoring systems and internal accountability.
Cause for Concern
This incident underscores several critical concerns:
Delayed Detection A hazardous chemical leak persisted for multiple days without timely reporting by Silfab.
Pattern of Incidents Two chemical events in one week point to potential systemic operational failures.
Proximity to Schools The facility’s location directly impacted students, families, and school operations.
Severity of the Chemical Hydrofluoric acid is highly dangerous. A multi-day undetected release near a school is unacceptable.
Lack of Transparency The public learned about this incident through a whistleblower, not proactive disclosure.
A Breaking Point for the Community
This is not theoretical risk. This is now happening in our community.
A multi-day hydrofluoric acid leak that is still ongoing occurred next to our schools. Children were rerouted. Parents were scrambling. And the public was told there was “no emergency.”
The York County Board of Zoning Appeals has already ruled that this type of manufacturing does not belong in a light industrial district. Yet operations continue, and incidents are now occurring in real time.
Protecting our community is not optional.
Take Action Now
The time for waiting is over. Our community must demand action.
Here’s how you can help right now:
Contact York County Council Demand they place Silfab on the agenda and vote to revoke the Certificate of Occupancy.
Show up in person Attend the next County Council meeting and make your voice heard.
Share this information Many residents still don’t know what has happened. Help spread the facts.
Join the movement Sign the petition, get involved, and stand with your neighbors.
Final Word
A chemical like hydrofluoric acid does not get multiple chances.
Neither should the systems that failed to detect it.
The community has spoken. The risks are clear. The incidents are happening.
Now it’s time for action.