Report: Nine grain facilities exploded in 2024; two injured

Nine dust-fueled explosions blew apart feed mills, grain elevators and ethanol plants in 2024, an identical number to the year prior. But only two people were injured in last year's explosions, as opposed to 12 in 2023, according to a Purdue University analysis.

Two of last year's explosions were ignited by smoldering grain, while another two were caused by equipment malfunctions. One was set off by welding work, while another was sparked by cutting work. Three more were caused by unknown sources, according to a press release.

Last year's explosion numbers remain near the 10-year national average of 8.6 explosions per year. The 2024 events occurred in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

One person was injured when a Tyson Foods feed mill in Estill Springs, Tennessee, exploded last August, according to the report. Another was caught in a Community Mills feed mill explosion in Cassopolis, Michigan, last November.

By comparison, 12 were injured by agricultural dust explosions in 2023. There have been 83 explosion-caused injuries since 2015, according to Purdue. 

“Considering the reduced number of injuries, the grain dust explosions are of low magnitude. But look at the damage it can cause to the facility in terms of downtime, repair costs and litigation,” Kingsly Ambrose, a Purdue professor of agricultural and biological engineering, said.

No one died due to dust explosions in 2024. Twelve are reported to have lost their lives to such events since 2015.

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