JUNE 2, 2015
ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA
Emergency personnel were dispatched to a chemical accident
in a classroom at Davis & Elkins College.
The Elkins Fire Department hazardous materials crew
responded to the Eshleman Science Center shortly before 1:30 p.m. Saturday in
response to a chlorosulphonic acid spill in one of the building's laboratories.
"It's a very corrosive material and the fumes are very
sulphuric," Fire Chief Tom Meader said.
The chemical, common to many college laboratories, was
accidentally spilled while a professor was working in the lab on Saturday, a
D&E press release stated Monday.
The incident occurred in the chemical storage room. No
students or other college personnel were present and no injuries were reported.
The professor immediately called the campus security office,
which in turn notified the Elkins Fire Department to treat the affected area.
Appropriate authorities have been contacted to remove waste,
the release stated. College officials do not believe any dangers exist as a
result of the situation.
An inorganic compound, chlorosulphonic acid is a colorless
to yellow, slightly cloudy and fuming liquid with a sharp odor. It's often used
to make detergents, pharmaceuticals, dyes and pesticides. It is cited as a
hazardous material by the Department of Transportation, the National Fire
Protection Association and the Environmental Protection Agency because of its
corrosive and reactive nature.
"They have a lot of chemicals up there," Meader
said. "It's a lab."
Firefighters responded to the scene adorned in fully
contained, level A Haz-Mat suits - complete with breathing apparatuses.
Officials consulted by phone with representatives from Chem Tech, a chemical
company, to ensure the safety of those involved.
"Once the guys got in there, they found out what it was
through the MSDA sheet, scraped it up and went on their merry way," he
said. "My guys did a great job - they're trained in this. They knew
exactly what they were doing and how to do it."
Responders neutralized the spill with baking soda - as
directed, before it was scooped up and placed in a Haz-mat container to be
picked up by a chemical company for safe disposal. The building was evacuated
until the area was declared safe for people to return.
"It was a freak accident and the guys did what they're
trained to do. They picked it up, nobody got hurt and everything is back to
normal," Meader said.
He noted fire personnel complete at least eight hours of
hazardous materials-focused continuing education annually to prepare them for
this type of situation.