Wednesday, March 18, 2015

9 PEOPLE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AFTER POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE CHEMICAL SPILL AT GROTON SUB BASE IN CONNECTICUT







Firefighters from the Submarine Base Fire Department and surrounding communities respond to a potassium hydroxide spill during routine maintenance aboard a submarine at U.S. Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Navy Capt. Carl Lahti, the commander of the Groton base, said the spill Wednesday morning of potassium hydroxide during routine maintenance was contained to the submarine. He said no injuries were reported and the cleanup is in progress. (Tim Cook / AP / March 18, 2015)


MARCH 18, 2015

GROTON, CONNECTICUT (AP)

Officials say nine people were taken to a hospital as a precaution after a chemical spill during routine maintenance aboard a submarine at Connecticut's Navy base.

The Groton base commander, Capt. Carl Lahti, says the potassium hydroxide spill Wednesday was contained to the submarine. He says no injuries were reported.

Potassium hydroxide, or caustic potash, is used in a wide variety of industrial applications. The major uses are in the production of potassium carbonate, potassium phosphates, liquid fertilizers, and potassium soaps and detergents.  It closely resembles sodium hydroxide in its chemical properties and has similar uses, e.g., in making soap, in bleaching, and in manufacturing chemicals, but is less widely used because of its higher cost.

Atlantic fleet spokesman Cmdr. Tommy Crosby says about a gallon of the chemical spilled aboard the USS Annapolis. He says eight sailors and a fireman were taken to a hospital as a precaution.

The main exposure routes of potasium hydroxide are through inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact.  It is an noncombustible solid; however, it may react with H2O & other substances and generate sufficient heat to ignite combustible materials.  It is incompatible with acids, water, metals (when wet), halogenated hydrocarbons, maleic anhydride.
 
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital spokesman Michael O'Farrell in New London says the patients were released after being evaluated for respiratory and skin irritation.

Local fire departments and a team from nearby Electric Boat shipyard responded.

The base is the primary East Coast homeport for the Navy's attack submarines.
Source: www.ctnow.com