BALTIMORE (RNN) - Some residents near a chemical plant were told to shelter in place for two hoursbecause of a chemical leak. That order has been lifted.
Baltimore Fire Department Chief Roman Clark said it appears that a valve from a tanker separated from a trailer, causing the leak at the Solvay Plant. Clark said the chemical involved is chlorosulfuric acid, WBAL reports.
Baltimore's Office of Emergency Management said that residents within a one-mile radius were told to shelter in place.
The Baltimore Fire Department called it a Level 3 hazmat situation.
1:30PM: ALL CLEAR. Situation in Curtis Bay has been resolved. Shelter in place is lifted.
— Baltimore OEM (@BaltimoreOEM) September 18, 2017
That means extremely dangerous materials are in the area, but it may be entered by emergency personnel in protective clothing that have self-contained breathing apparatus, and leaving no skin exposed.
We are hearing it is a Level 3 Haz Mat see below for explaination. pic.twitter.com/Y8R36JGRM4
— Kathleen Cairns (@CairnsKcairns) September 18, 2017
Employees from a nearby business said they can smell a strong, acidic aroma.
NOAA said that vapor from chlorosulfuric acid is "extremely irritating to lungs and mucous membranes," though it has such a strong odor that "inhalation of severely toxic quantities is unlikely unless it is impossible to escape the fumes." Contact with the liquid form can cause severe burns.
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