Tuesday, June 2, 2015

CHLOROSULPHONIC ACID SPILL CLEANED UP AT DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE IN ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA



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.