Hydrochloric Acid Spill at Printing Plant, Building Evacuated; 3-Alarm Haz Mat Response Declared

Minneapolis, MN, United States 2/4/2000- 8:00 PM

About 1,000 gallons of acid spilled at the plant in northeast Minneapolis, requiring the evacuation of more than 100 workers.

The leak was reported by workers at the Bureau of Engraving, Inc.

Firefighters declared a three-alarm hazardous materials response.

Fire officials said a 1-inch pipe on a 4,700 gallon tank broke, spilling the acid. The spill was contained within the building.

Cleanup crews shut down the building's air system to keep vapors from being emitted from ducts, according to the department.

Hydrochloric acid is consideered poisonaous if inhaled as vapors or absorbed through the skin.

Link:

http://chemsafety.gov/circ/

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), February 07, 2000