USC Study Confirms Major Chemical Risk Zones Around Silfab Site in Fort Mill

jen29398
May 5
2 min read

Updated: 1 hour ago

A newly released Health Risk Assessment from the University of South Carolina (USC) Arnold School of Public Health confirms what Fort Mill families have feared for months—Silfab Solar’s factory poses a serious risk to nearby schools, neighborhoods, and community infrastructure.

Located just 0.25 miles from two future public schools and less than a mile to neighborhoods, senior communities, daycare centers, hotels and local businesses, Silfab’s facility will house and use large volumes of hazardous chemicals known to harm human health. The study’s early findings are clear: in a worst-case chemical release, over 53,000 people could be affected—some living up to 3.4 miles away.

Dangerous Chemicals, Real Risks

The USC team used the EPA’s RMP*Comp modeling tool to estimate the worst-case impact of four hazardous chemicals Silfab plans to use:

Chemical	EPA-Estimated Worst-Case Reach
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)	3.4 miles
Anhydrous Ammonia	2.2 miles
Hydrofluoric Acid (HF)	2.0 miles
Silane	0.2 miles

All four chemicals are highly toxic. Hydrochloric acid and anhydrous ammonia are classified as “regulated substances” by the EPA. Silane, used in solar cell manufacturing, is a highly flammable gas that can ignite on contact with air.

The modeling assumes a catastrophic release—something we all hope never happens. But these estimates are based on standard EPA protocols and tools. This is not speculation; it’s science. And the results show the reach of these chemicals extends well beyond Silfab’s property and deep into populated areas.

Schools, Daycares, Homes—and Silfab

The health risk zone includes:

17 Schools in Fort Mill and Charlotte
20 Daycare centers
12 Retirement communities
Dozens of residential neighborhoods
Portions of North Carolina

What Comes Next

A second, more detailed phase of the USC Health Risk Assessment is now underway.

The facts are no longer up for debate. A respected public health institution has confirmed what so many in our community have been saying all along: Silfab’s facility is a threat to the health and safety of thousands and never should have been approved under current zoning laws. This isn’t about speculation—it’s about science, the law, and the right to protect our neighborhoods, schools, and families. The community has spoken. The experts have spoken. Now it’s time for our leaders to act.

Follow the law. Protect the community. Move Silfab.

How You Can Help

Learn the facts. Read the USC report and share the information.
Contact County Council. Urge them to enforce zoning laws and stop this facility.
Stay involved. Join us at upcoming meetings and events.

This is our home. Our schools. Our children. We deserve better—and we won’t stop until we get it.

Read the report here: